96 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 Feb., 1917. 



the cutworms have reached a large size* — will afford complete protec- 

 tion, but neglect in this direction may easily prove disastrous. 



Care must also be taken to guard against the emission of suckers 

 by the stock and roots by the scion, in the same way as is necessary 

 with grafted vines in general. It may be well to remind those un- 

 familiar with reconstitution methods that these are two of the greatest 

 dangers to be combated in establishing a vineyard on resistant stocks. 

 (Jl the two, scion roots merit a special warning; suckers are above 

 ground, and an eyesore which a careful vinegi-ower removes as soon 

 as he notices them, but scion roots being underground may escape 

 detection unless the young vines are carefully inspected. It is true 

 that there is rather less trouble in both these directions with the Yema 

 graft than with the ordinary spring graft ; owing to the perfection of 

 the union, the sap flows more freely into the scion bud, and there is 

 not that back pressure of sap resulting from the obstruction presented by 

 the incomplete union of the recently executed graft, which so frequently 

 brings about the growth of suckers. 



Variation in Time of Geafting. 



As has been previously pointed out, February is the most suitable 

 month for this graft. In this case the bud remains dormant until the 

 following spring. This may be termed the normal Yema graft; many 

 variations are, however, possible. It may be executed, for example, in 

 spring, as recommended by Mr. Mais (see Jotinial for January, page 

 45). In this case, scions from the previous year, prevented from sprout- 

 ing by storage in cool, almost dry, sand must be used, The scion bud 

 grows almost immediately after its insertion and the method becomes 

 more similar to ordinary spring grafting, over which it does not seem 

 to present much advantage; some practical growers, in fact, hold it 

 to be distinctly inferior. 



Another variation consists in Yema grafting a good deal earlier 

 than according to the normal method ; if the operation be performed 

 about Christmas time, or early January, the upper part of the stock 

 being suppressed a fortnight after grafting, the bud will no longer 

 remain dormant, but will start to sprout immediately. The advantages 

 of such a course are safety from cutworms and frost, but it is only in 

 certain seasons that this variation is really satisfactory. 



A vineyard was grafted in this way near Rutherglen in early 

 January, 1915, with highly satisfactory results. The summer of 1914-15 

 was, however, quite an unusual one, and probably more suitable for 

 this departure from the normal graft than an ordinary one would be. 

 The exti-eme drvness of the spring of 1914 (the close of the disastrous 

 drought) resulted in thoroughly ripened canes being available for scions, 

 much earlier than usual, whilst the heavy December rains insured 

 vigorous sprouting of the buds shortly after they were grafted. This 

 case is mentioned as showing the great elast'city of the Yema graft, and 

 the way in which a skilful grower can take advantage of abnormal con- 

 ditions. If the buds sprout immediately, and the season is such that 

 good growth results, and the canes ripen satisfactorily, a season will 

 no doubt be saved, but such a result cannct be relied upon every year, 



• See article on Cutworm Destruction in Journal for July, 1911, a reprint of which is available on 

 application. 



