352 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



crown, make the same cut and slit as nearly as possible like those 

 made on the scions. Unite the root and scion by forcing the slits 

 to interlock. Care should be taken to get one side of the root and 

 one side of the scion perfectly level where united — the bark line 

 of the scion should come exactly in contact with the bark line 

 of the root, as it is these two bark lines that grow together. The 

 root should be thicker than the scion. No attention is needed 

 to watch the other side of the graft, as it is usually only possible 

 to get one side fitted properly. A well made graft when held up 

 to the light should fit so closely where united that daylight can- 

 not be seen through the slits; however, this is not absolutely 

 necessary, but for best results they must be united closely. 



Experienced grafters generally make fifty to one hundred 

 scions ready to be united to the roots, but the root is cut one 

 piece at a time and a scion joined to it at once. This is to keep 

 the dirt out of the slits and to have the butt end up. When sev- 

 eral hundred grafts are made before wrapping, they should be 

 kept between two wet sacks. 



The union should be either waxed, wrapped with waxed paper, 

 waxed cloth or waxed knitting cotton. The writer believes the 

 best results are obtained in the order named. Most nurserymen 

 use number eighteen to twenty-four knitting cotton which is 

 prepared by placing the balls of knitting cotton into a kettle of 

 melted boiling wax. Turn the balls constantly for three minutes 

 when they should be taken out at once with sharp sticks and 

 placed standing with ball end up where they are to remain until 

 dry. 



The wax is made of two parts beeswax, by weight, four parts 

 resin and one part tallow. Stir constantly until melted, when it 

 is ready for use. The waxed paper is made by spreading hot 

 wax over a newspaper with a brush. When dry cut into strips 

 about one inch wide. When wrapping, press the two parts to- 

 gether firmly. Begin wrapping at the bottom of the union, wrap 

 two or three times around at this place, work up to the other 

 end of the cut by wrapping two or three times and finish by 

 wrapping a few times around the upper end of the union. Break 

 the thread off, and the graft is finished. 



Next comes packing away the grafts properly. Green saw- 

 dust is most frequently used. Sawdust three or four years old 

 is worthless, and if used may ruin every graft packed in it. Fresh 

 pine sawdust is best and should be prepared if frozen or too_ wet. 

 Material for packing should be damp, not wet or dry. Pack in 

 tight paper lined boxes. The grafts may be tied in bundles of 



