134 THE ROSE GARDEN. 



1. Cleft-grafting. — We shall first describe and illustrate this mode, and after- 

 wards refer briefly to the others. Here the stocks should be larger than the scions. 

 The latter, which may be taken from the plants as required for use, should be 

 well-ripened shoots, cut into lengths of about an inch and a half. The tops of 

 shoots are seldom fitted for scions : two-thirds of their length is, generally speak- 

 ing, as much as can be used with advantage. Each scion should have two, three, 

 or four buds : two are sufficient to produce a fine plant. In performing the ope- 

 ration, first cut the stock quite level at the top ; then insert the point of the 

 knife at a, drawing it down towards the root in an oblique direction. Now make 

 a corresponding cut, commencing at c, so that the two cuts terminate in a point b. 

 Thus a piece of the stock is cut out, and the opening made is in the form of the 

 letter V. With regard to the width and length of the cut, this must be regulated 

 by the size of the grafts in hand : as to depth, the wound should not extend quite 

 so far as the centre or pith of the stock. The piece being removed, the scion d, 

 must be cut to fill up the vacuity ; and the better it does this the greater is the 

 chance of success. The most essential point is, to bring the inner bark of the scion 

 in exact contact with the inner bark of the stock. When the scion is fitted in, it 

 should be bound securely there with soft bast. It is then necessary to cover the 

 place of junction with some composition that will effectually exclude air and 

 water. For this purpose, take the following ingredients : five-eighths black 

 pitch, one-eighth each of bees'-wax, tallow, and resin. Put them together in a 

 glue-pot and melt them down over a slow fire. The best way of laying on the 

 composition is by the use of a flat stick. It is not necessary to cover the whole of 

 the bandage. Take care, however, that the lines where the barks join — indeed 

 whatever part the wound extends to — be rendered impervious to air and moisture. 

 The wound at the top of the stock should be covered, and also the summit of the 

 scion. Care must be taken not to apply the composition too hot, or the bark will 

 be scalded, and success rendered doubtful. A good way to test its fitness for use 

 is, to place a little on the finger of the operator, when, if it does not cause any 

 unpleasant sensation, it may be used without fear. This composition, though soft 

 and pliable in a warm state, becomes hard and impenetrable when cold. 



2. Wedge-grafting. — This is more simple than the foregoing. In many points 

 the modes of procedure are the same : we have only to notice the differences. 

 Instead of inserting the scion in one side of the stock, we here split the stock 

 down the centre to the extent of an inch or so, and insert the graft in the slit. In 

 preparing the graft, pare off equal parts from two opposite sides, that the lower 

 end may be in the form of a wedge. Push the wedge in the slit of the stock, 

 binding it firmly in, and covering with the composition as before. 



3. Whip-grafting. — It is not important here that the stock and scion be of the 

 same size. The former should be cut level at the top, as before, to within a few 

 inches of the base : both should be cut in an oblique direction, taking care to 

 make the cuts smooth and even, and of the same length and slope, that the bark 



