76 THE BOOK OF THE GRAPE 



an apology for a bunch off it in the following year. 

 Hence my utilising the stock without paying any regard 

 whatever, I admit, to the soundness or otherwise of 

 such a union. However, I made known my experience 

 forthwith for the benefit of readers of the horticultural 

 press, and so eased my conscience in the matter. 



Muscat of Alexandria is the very best stock on which 

 to graft or inarch any other white grape. By such a 

 union the flavour of any other white (excepting Canon 

 Hall Muscat) grape will be improved ; Black Ham- 

 burg and Madresfield will produce a like desirable 

 change in the flavour of any late black grape (excepting 

 Mrs Pince) engrafted or inarched thereon. The said 

 stocks would be quite safe to work Mrs Pince on, and 

 while not expecting the flavour of the latter to improve or 

 suffer in any way, the colouring properties of the grape, 

 which is oftener seen "foxy'' than black when ripe, 

 might be improved by such a union. 



There are several modes of grafting practised, the 

 two most important being known as whip grafting and 

 crown or wedge grafting. Of the two I prefer the 

 latter, on the score of simplicity and effectiveness. 

 January or February is a good time to perform the 

 operation on vines which have not yet been " started." 

 The vine or vines on which it is desired to engraft some 

 other variety of the grape should be headed back before 

 the sap has risen, and then cut down the centre to the 

 depth of four or five inches, and into this opening it 

 being kept open until the wedge-shaped graft, cut to a 

 feather edge on the inner side, is ready insert the graft; 

 the broad side of the triangularly-shaped scion being 

 kept flush with the stock. The stock and graft 

 should be bound round with a few bands of raffia 

 grass and covered with clay and cow manure made 

 to the consistency of stiff putty. The covering should 

 be put on so as completely to cover and exclude air 



