PROPAGATION OF THE QUINCE. 59 



cut ends fit, so that the inner bark shall match at least 

 on one side and at the end of the cutting. 



These grafted cuttings may be quickly dibbled in. 

 making a hole deep enough to receive the whole length 

 except a bud or two above the surface. Holding the 

 cutting in the hole at the right depth with the left 

 hand, push the earth firmly against the cutting with the 

 dibble, as you would in planting a cabbage. For lack of 

 such firming the earth there are many failures. 



The fall, after the leaves have dropped, is generally 

 preferred for taking the cuttings ; but they may be taken 



Fig. 30. ROOT CUTTING, 



much later. I have had some cuttings grow in the open 

 air, which were made in May, after the trees were growing. 



Root Cuttings a foot or so long are best prepared be- 

 fore the buds swell in spring. I have trees from pieces 

 of roots cut off by the plow as late as June. Plant at; an 

 angle of about forty-five degrees, or as near as you can to 

 their natural position. 



4. PROPAGATION BY GRAFTING is successful where the" 

 inner barks of both stock and cion are made to fit to- 

 gether. A union forms most readily between varieties 

 of the same species ; next between species of the same 

 genus, and is limited by genera of the same natural order. 

 By this law one variety of quince will do best grafted on 



