144 THE FIG: ITS HISTORY, CULTURE, AND CURING. 
Terminal scions are the best. 
If other scions are to be used, the top 
cut should be made one-half inch above the top bud. This cut 
Fi. 21.—Fig scions for grafting—John Rock’s method. 
should be somewhat slant- 
ing. The front part of the 
wedge—that is, the part 
or face with the most bark 
surface and the one which 
when inserted will face 
outward—must have a 
bud at its upper end. 
Thus, in making the scion, 
begin by placing the knife 
close to a bud and then 
draw the knife downward. 
This is best seen in the 
illustration. 
STOCK. 
Any limb of an old fig 
tree may be grafted, pro- 
vided it is healthy and not 
sunburnt. The limb is cut squarely off or slightly slanting. The best 
size of limbs is probably 
about 2 inches in diameter. 
The cut should be made at 
a joint, as there is less pith 
there than anywhere else. 
This cut is best made with 
asaw. Many cuttings may 
be grafted into every tree, 
but it is of the utmost im- 
portance that, according 
to the size of the tree, one 
or two branches should be 
left entire, in order that 
the sap may be drawn into 
the old tree. (See fig. 25.) 
If all the branches are 
grafted and no large 
branches left untouched 
the old tree will die 
through the stagnation of 
sap. In old trees one or 
two large branches are left. 
Fria. 22.—Scions inserted in a fig branch—John Rock’s 
method. 
In smaller or very small trees it will suf- 
fice to leave some twigs or slender yearling branches to draw the sap. 
