44 VILLA GARDENING part i 



pit, will be required for carrying it out successfully, even if only 

 done in a small way for experiment. Grafting is simply uniting 

 two separate individuals together, and these must not only be in 

 a fit condition as regards age and size for the union, but the 

 manipulating must be carefully done with a keen-edged implement 

 so as to fit exactly. Probably no great amount of skill may be 

 required to cut two branches of suitable size to fit and bring 

 together as large a surface of the inner bark of each individual as 

 possible, and on this lies the chance of a successful operation, 

 assuming that the two plants are suitably matched ; but experi- 

 ence (practical knowledge) tells in this as in all other work we are 

 called upon to perform. Something depends on tying the graft 

 to the stock with requisite but not unnecessary firmness, and the 

 application of clay or wax to keep out air from the wounded 

 parts, so that the sap may flow freely ; in fiict, every operation 

 connected with grafting is important. There are many ways of 

 grafting for young stocks. Whip grafting is the simplest and 

 best, and it consists in heading down the stock, cutting a thick 

 slice from one side, and treating the scion in a corresponding manner 

 to make a perfect fit. Cleft or crown grafting is better adapted 

 for larger subjects, and in-arching can only be practised when the 

 subjects to be united are growing side by side, or can be brought 

 near to each other. 



Budding is an excellent mode of propagation, and is largely 

 employed in the propagation of deciduous trees, such as Thorns, 

 Roses, etc. Having occasion to refer to it fully when treating of 

 the Rose, I shall say no more about it here. This description of 

 the propagation of trees and shrubs will hardly be complete with- 

 out a few words regarding the sowing of seeds ; as, though it may 

 not be necessaiy in a small way to raise such things from seeds, yet 

 in a condensed form the knowledge is worth having, as friends from 

 foreign countries are continually sending or bringing home seeds of 

 conifers or other choice trees and shrubs. Seeds of conifers and 

 American plants are best sown thinly in pans of peat and sand 

 placed in a darkened frame. A little artificial heat, if very slight, 

 is not objectionable. The darkened frame enables us to keep 

 the soil in which the seeds are placed at an even state of moisture 

 without using the waterpot much, and some source of danger is 

 removed. Light, of course, must be admitted as soon as germina- 

 tion takes place. 



Seeds of forest trees may be sown in drills in the open air. 

 Haws and Holly berries are buried in moist sand for a season 

 to soften their outer covering, and are then sown either in drills 

 or broadcast on lieds, covering with the soil from the alleys. 



