WINTER GRAFTING. 351 



WINTER GRAFTING. 



A. O. HAWKINS, EXCELSIOR. 



Whip-grafting, also called tongue-grafting and root-grafting, 

 is the method used for winter grafting indoors. For best results 

 in Minnesota the scions (of one year old wood) should be cut 

 in November, on mild days when not frozen. Collect only well 

 matured wood. Tie in bundles of about fifty and pack in layers 

 in boxes, using green sawdust or sand around each layer. It is 

 safer for those not experienced to repack each month to avoid 

 loss by mould, drying out, too wet, etc. 



The seedling roots in this state should be dug latter part of 

 October. Cut off the tops five or six inches above the crown 

 and strip off all remaining leaves. Tie in bundles and store in 

 the cellar, using green sawdust or sand for packing. Before 

 using, cut off all fibrous roots. 



February is the best month for root-grafting. The grafting 

 may be done in a moderately warm living room if the roots and 

 scions are kept packed, only unpacking and using one bundle at a 

 time. 



A cleft root graft. 



The piece root-graft, the root about three inches long, is the 

 best to make for our severe climate — the scion about six inches 

 long. Most varieties of apple will root from the scion when 

 pieces of root this length only are used. The roots emitted from 

 the scion are hardier than the seedling root, and it is safer to have 

 the seedling root, which is of unknown hardiness, four or five 

 inches below the surface of the ground. 



On the lower end of the scion make a sloping cut about one 

 inch long. A very sharp, thin bladed knife should be used. A 

 shoemaker's Harrington knife is very good. The cut should be 

 made in one fast, steady, forward movement of the knife, to get 

 the cut smooth. On the sloping cut, about one-fourth way from 

 the butt, make a slit by a downward cut about three-fourths of 

 an inch long. Cut the scion or scions off in lengths about six 

 inches long, aiming to cut about one-eighth of an inch above a 

 bud. Next take one of the seedling roots and, beginning at the 



