386 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



We sre sure tbat our orchard, and our vineyard as well, is annu- 

 ally benefited by the presence of our bees, and we would not censure 

 them for gathering the sweets from cracked or fallen grapes, and fool- 

 ishly charge them with destruction, when in truth they are only saving 

 that which would otherwise be wasted. — Epitomist. 



Advantage of Grafting Grapevines. 



The advantages to be gained by grafting grapevines are so evident 

 that, although it was almost an unknown art at forty years ago when I 

 began its practice, it has become a necessity to every grape-grower. 

 It is a little more diflScult than the same operation on fruit trees, yet it 

 is so simple that anyone familiar with the use of a sharp knife can 

 easily acquire the art. The experience of forty years has taught me 

 that the simplest methods of grafting the vine are the best for common 

 use, especially where it must be done on a large scale as a protection 

 against phylloxera, and where skillful hands are not available. When 

 whole vineyards of resistant stocks are to be grafted in a few weeks, 

 the labor must be divided. While each opeartion is simple in itself, 

 with only inexperienced labor at hand, it is best to give each a special 

 task, which he can soon learn to successfully perform. 



The facility with which new and valuable varieties can be increased 

 and their fruit tested, is an important advantage of grafting. If grafts 

 of bearing wood are worked upon strong stocks, they will bear a few 

 bunches the same season and a full crop the next; healthy stocks of 

 DO value can be changed into the most valuable bearing kinds; and 

 varieties which are diflcult to grow from cuttings can be propagated 

 with greatest ease by grafting. The temporary obstruction by grafting 

 seems to have the effect upon the graft of making it produce more and 

 finer fruit than on its own roots. Last but not least, grafting affords 

 us the only means by which to combat successfully the phylloxera. 



As to the best time to perform the operation, I differ with most of 

 the writers on this subject. I have met with the greatest success 

 when the sap was flowing freely, which will, of course, vary according 

 to location. In California our best time is about the middle of April, 

 though I have grafted with as good success up to the middle of May, 

 provided the vines are kept dormant in a cool, shady place, and were 

 selected with the proper care. When the sap is flowing freely the 

 junction is immediate, and the sap at once ascends the graft. At this 

 time all bandages are superfluous, and even injurious, provided the 

 stock is strong enough to hold the cion firmly. No matter if the stock 



