556 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 Sept., 1917. 



the illu4ration, care being taken that the bark of stock and scion coin- 

 cide on one side of 'the latter. The scion is usually a portion of a young 

 cane with two eyes on it. After its inseition, the graft is bound with 

 twine, staked and mounded up. Grafting itself is a simple operation. 

 It is in connexion with matters of detail that care must be exercised, as 

 upon a few points which might, at first sight, appear to be of secondary 

 importance, depends the success or failure of the graft. 



When to Graft. 



Vines may be cleft grafted from August to November in Victoria. 

 Late September and October is usually the most satisfactory time of 

 year. It entirely depends on the season. The sap of the vine commences 

 to rise in August, and once this is in movement, successful grafting is 

 possible, provided subsequent conditions of warmth and moisture are 

 suitable. Union takes place through the common callusing of the cam- 

 bium sections of stock and scion. Callus only forms under certain con- 

 ditions. It requires a minimum temperature of about 60 degrees F. ; 

 below this the graft cannot take, though, if properly mounded up, the 

 scion can long remain dormant, awaiting sufficient warmth for knitting 

 to take place. It is far better, however, to postpone grafting until con- 

 ditions are quite suitable. Freshly-cuti surfaces callus most readily, and 

 the danger of excessive moisture, which may even cause the scion to rot 

 or die, is avoided. 



As regards moisture, excess rather than scarcity is to be feared. 

 Callus growth is not exacting in this respect ; it is most ab)undant in 

 sand containing only 5 per cent, of mois:ure, whilst even at 2\ per cent, 

 it) is ample. The scion always receives sufficient moisture from the stock 

 if this is properly '' in sap " when grafted; if the soil used in mounding 

 is quite dry, so much tie better. Irrigation should never follow graft- 

 ing, as inexperienced growers are sometimes inclined to think beneficial. 

 A watering may wi;h advantage be given a fortnight before, but never 

 shortly after grafting. 



It is obvious that early grafting, if the season permits, is to be pre- 

 ferred. If the scion can start into growth with the first rush of vegeta- 

 tion made by the stock, more growth, better growth, and a more rapid, 

 complete, and perfect union are assured. If weather conditions are such 

 that the stock can only be cut back in November, or after it has made 

 abundant new growth, it is compelled to make a fresh start, its vegeta- 

 tion thus receiving a check which causes stibsequent growth to be less 

 vigorous than that of an earlier-grafted vine. The check thus caused 

 is, however, of far less consequence than the damage which would result 

 from cold, weti weather immediately after grafting. 



lb is thus evident that a definite time for grafting cannot be arbit- 

 rarily fixed ; evervthing depends on the season. Grafting is essentially 

 a fine-weather operation. It is cold, wet weather occurring immediately 

 after it which is fatal. A drought is far better than a wet spring; best 

 of all is warm, sultry, cloudy weather, but without rain. In a general 

 way tihe following rule may be given — in a dry, warm spring, graft as 

 early as possible; in a cold, wet; one delay grafting until October, or even 

 November. 



Professor Ravaz recommends early grafting in the case of stocks which 

 do not take very readily, such as Rupestris du Lot, whilst stocks which 

 take very easily, such as Ripari.a, 420 A, &c., may be grafted late. 



