GRAFTING. 



157 



b 





Tools. In addition to a sharp knife for preparing' the scions, a fine 

 8avv with the teeth set rather wide will be needed for taking off the 

 limbs; a chisel grafting knife or strong butcher knife will answer 

 for splitting the limb; a mallet and wooden or iron wedge for open- 

 ing the cleft will also be needed. The practical operation consists 

 in first sawing off the limb or trunk at the front where the graft is 

 desired; if on a limb, usually leaving about six inches below to 

 the point where it joins on to the tree (a, fig. 14), choosing a smooth, 



straight part and smoothing the 

 edges over with a sharp knife. Sec- 

 ond, place the chisel or knife across 

 the end of the butt and with a few 

 moderate blows of the mallet split it 

 to the extent of an inch or or two (b, 

 tig. 14). A scion is prepared by cutting 

 its lower part to the shape of a long 

 wedge ( fig. 15 ), taking care to have a 

 bud (b, fig. 15) at the base of the scion 

 above the wedge. It is customary to 

 make the edge of the wedge opposite 

 to this bud slightly thinner than the other. Next spring open the 

 cleft sufficiently to receive the scions by driving the wooden wedge 

 in the center, when the scion is inserted with the bud b outward. 

 The inner bark of the scion and stock inust exactlj' meet, as in other 

 methods of grafting. The opening wedge is now withdrawn, and 

 the scions are held quite firmlj' in place (c, fig. 14). The whole 

 wounded portion must now be covered with grafting wax (d. fig. 14), 

 and over that it is well to wrap waxed cloth. It is customary to 

 insert two scions in stocks that are an inch or more in diameter, 

 one to be cut away afterward if both live. When small stocks are 

 cleft-grafted, ranging from one-half to one and one-fourth inches in 

 diameter, it is better to make a sloping cut on one side of the stock, 

 beginning an inch to an inch and a half below and cutting up to 

 the center, as shown at a, tig. 16; then split the stock just at one side 

 of the pith (b, fig. 16) and hold the cleft open with a knife or chisel 

 until the scion is inserted with 

 the lower bud outside and just 

 at the top of the cleft, and wax 

 or wrap with waxed cloth (a, fig. 

 17). But one scion is required, 

 and the wound heals over and 

 makes a better union than when 

 two scions are set in one stock. 

 The renewal, or topworking, of 

 a tree of any considerable size 

 should not all be done at once 

 but should extend over two or 



three seasons. Beginning with the upper part is most usually 

 recommended, but we prefer working the lower branch first. Where 

 a tree is entirely worked over in one year, it is best to leave some of 

 the original top to act as a safety valve and prune it away grad- 

 ually afterwards. 



T.q ./t. 



