10 Sept., 1917.] Spnng Grafting of the Vine. 



557 



Age of Stock. 



All autliorities are ao;reed thai the younger the stock the more per- 

 fect the uuion, and, consequently, the greater the durability of the graft. 

 Hence it is very generally recommended that resistant stocks should 

 always be grai'ted the second spring following their plantation; that is, 

 fifteen inonilis afterwards. Many practical growers, however, prefer 

 allowing I he stock to remain another year, or twenty -seven months after 

 plaming, before grafting. To allow it to remain longer is a fatal 

 mistake, which, nevertheless, is sometimes made. Old resistants are 

 much more diflicult to graft than old viniferas. In the case of some 

 stocks, such as Uui)estris du Lot, it is almost impossible to get satisfac- 

 tory results if grafting be delayed beyond the second season. It is no 

 doubt better to delay for a season than to graft too weak a yearling; but 

 the general rule is that it is better to graft too young than too old stocks. 



Grafting during the same season vines are planted is, in fact, fre- 

 quently recommended of recent) years in France. This is described as 

 the Etienne Maies method. It is very suitable on rich land where stout 

 rootlings may, in fifteen months, acquire such strong development as to 

 render grafting unsatisfactory, owing to the excessive vigour of the 

 stock. M. Mares recommends autumn plantation — November or Decem- 

 ber — which is equivalent to May or June here. Plantation should be 

 made during winter, at latest, so that the soil may set before growth com- 

 mences in spring. The stocks should be grafted as soon as the shoots 

 are half-an-inch long. Professor Pegrullv* states that a block thus 

 established was superior to one grafted fifteen montbs after plantation, 

 the percentage of success was higher, and the unions more perfect. This 

 block was equal, but not superior, to one planted with grafted rootlings 

 at the same time. Tlie percentage of successful grafts was from ninety- 

 six to ninety-seven, all unions being very satisfactory. He recommends 

 this course more particularly for strongly-growing stocks such as Rupes- 

 tris du Lot. 



This method, whieli has not yet been extensively used in Victoria, 

 merits a trial. Its suitability, no doubt, depends on the season. If this 

 be favorable to very active growth, and extra strong rootlings have been 

 planted, it should have much to recommend it. It should prove very 

 suitable under irrigation, iii which case very vigorous growth can be 

 relied on. Where watering is impossible, it may not prove so practicable. 

 Under these conditions, the second season after plantation has sometimes 

 to be awaited before the stock has made sufficient growth for grafting. 



Cutting Back of Stock. 



When grafting, it is well to first cut off the stock, the scion being pre- 

 pared afterwards; the latter is liable to dry out rapidly whilst the 

 stock is abundantly supplied with sap. This sap is, in fact, often too 

 abundant, especially in the case of very vigorous stocks. If copious 

 " bleeding " occurs, it is better to cut back the stock three days, or even 

 a week, before grafting. This preliminary cutting back should be 

 executed an inch or so above where it is intended to cut it finally. 



The stock should be cut off somewhat above the surface of the ground 

 in order to avoid trouble from scion roots later on ; a couple of inches 



• ProQri'ft AqricoU, lOtb Novpmbpr. 1911 .^Description by Profes'ior Dngrully of an inspection of M. 

 Mnr^f's vineyard marte by him In comp.iny with a Commlsaion of the Societe Centrale d*AKricu!tnre de 

 rjTennilt. iteconstitntion b.'ul here l>een affected by means of crafted rootlings and field graftinK carried 

 onf five months aftt r plantation and also fifteen months after plantation. 



