216 Peach-Growing 



new variety. This is also desirable on account of the sub- 

 sequent management of the tree. This operation may be 

 performed at any time during the summer when the bark 

 of the stock slips and the tree is otherwise in suitable con- 

 dition and when well-matured buds of the desired variety 

 can be secured. 



Renewal by top-grafting. 



Peach trees are sometimes top-worked by grafting instead 

 of budding. The ordinary cleft-graft method is generally 

 used in such cases. The grafting is done in the spring when 

 stock and cion are dormant, especially the cion. However, 

 budding is to be preferred, especially as the wounds made in 

 grafting do not heal readily in the case of the peach, though 

 when properly done the union of stock and cion is generally 

 strong enough to make a fairly serviceable tree. But 

 troubles incident to the failure of the wounds to heal prop- 

 erly are likely to occur. 



Still another means of top-working peach trees is by a 

 method designated as "shield-grafting." It has been 

 recommended by a grower in the Grand Valley in Colorado. 

 The term "side-grafting" would be a more accurate ex- 

 pression. By this method limbs three and four inches in 

 diameter are said to be successfully top- worked. At the 

 point on a limb where a graft or cion is to be inserted, a T- 

 shaped incision is made as in shield-budding on a small 

 seedling stock, the vertical cut being an inch or more long. 

 The cion of the desired variety is taken from wood of the 

 preceding season's growth. The lower end is cut with a 

 long sloping bevel, the cut being all on one side of the cion, 

 and the slope about two inches in length. The length of 

 the cion is so regulated that it shall bear two and only two 



