QUESTION DRA WER. 



and separates from the seeds almost as 

 easily as Brighton. Ripening as early 

 as the 2oth of August, it should have 

 some value. 



Ginseng. 



Question 1028. 



I would suggest that you write re- 

 garding Ginseng to Mr. George Stanton, 

 Chinese Ginseng Farm, Summit Station, 

 N.Y., Onondaga County, who appears 

 to be the largest experimenter and 

 dealer in America in that line. Dr. 

 Geo. C. Butz, Horticulturist of Penn- 

 sylvania State College, writes me that 

 he has visited Mr. Stanton's place, and 

 found there the most decided demon- 

 stration of the possibility of the cultiva 

 tion of Ginseng. 



I understand that Mr. Stanton will 

 gladly supply all information desired. 

 C. C. James, 

 Deputy Minister of Agriculture. 



Grafting'. 



1031. Sir, — Can you send, or refer, me 

 to any bulletins or special work on Grafting 

 and Pruning fruit trees? If not, would be 

 very grateful for a few points of instruction, 

 especially on the former. What is the pro- 

 per time ? How are trees (8 or 10 years old) 

 pruned for grafting ? Best com|j08ition for 

 covering the wounds, etc. ? Pardon me for 

 troubhng you, as I do not know where else 

 to look for information. 



J. W. HAYi Sheffield. 



Top - grafting is a most important 

 operation where an orchard has been 

 planted to varieties of fruit which are 

 unprofitable. In fact, the markets them- 

 selves seem to change from time to 

 time, and this is the easiest method of 

 keeping pace with the changing de- 

 mand. 



The time for grafting fruit trees is in 

 spring-time, about the time growth be- 

 gins. Plums need to be done quite 

 early, before the buds begin to burst ; 

 pears may be left later, and apples last 



of all. In the same order we might 

 mention them, as regards the difficulties 

 in the way of success, beginning with 

 plums, which are the most difficult. 



The first important requisite is the 

 cions for grafting, which must be cut 

 in advance, while still perfectly dor- 

 mant, and packed away in a cool place, 

 or buried in sand or green sawdust, 

 where they will remain plump, without 

 making any growth. 



Then select a good many fair-sized 

 limbs, evenly distributed over the tree, 

 limbs two or three inches in diameter, 

 and cut them off, well out, leaving back 

 of them a good supply of twigs and 

 foliage. Cut with a fine sharp saw, and 

 then set the cions, using a grafting chi- 

 sel to open the split to receive the bev- 

 eled end of the 

 cion as shown in 

 fig. 1449. The 

 great point is to 

 unite the cam- 

 brium or inner 

 bark so that the 

 growth can con- 

 tinue. The cut 

 surfaces must be 

 carefully protected 

 from the air by 

 grafting wax, which is made by heating 

 up together equal parts of rosin, bees- 

 wax and tallow ; this is thrown into cold 

 water, and then, with greased hands, 

 worked up into a soft ball, convenient 

 for handling. 



Pruning of the peach is best done 

 this month, when some progress will be 

 made in healing before winter, or else 

 left until May, just as new growth be- 

 gins. Apples and pears may be pruned 

 at any time when the trees are bare of 

 foliage ; but in no case do we advise 

 cutting large limbs, which usually lead 

 to rotting of the heart, but rather a 

 liberal cutting off of the smaller branches. 



Fig. 1453. 



407 



