OBSERVATIONS ON GRAFTING. 29 



if not both, shall perfectly coincide, and then securely bound 

 with bass matting, and covered with grafting cjay or compo- 

 sition. As soon as the scion and stock are completely united, 

 the bass string may be removed. 



SADDLE GRAFTING. The celebrated Mr. Knight practised 

 this mode of grafting on very small stocks. The upper part 

 of the stock is prepared in the form of a wedge, by two 

 sloping cuts, one on each side. The scion is prepared by 

 slitting it upward, and paring out the middle part on each 

 side to a point. When the stock and scion are of equal 

 size, the adjustment may be made perfect; but if unequal, 

 one side must exactly meet. The whole is secured by a 

 string of bass matting, and covered with composition or 

 clay ; but the string must be removed as soon as a perfect 

 union has taken place. 



ROOT GRAFTING. This operation is often performed on 

 Grape vines, just below the level of the surface, by the usual 

 mode of cleft grafting. It is also performed on portions or 

 pieces of root, where suitable stocks are scarce. 



GRAFTING BY APPROACH. The trees, or shrubs, to be 

 grafted in this mode, must be growing very near lo those which 

 are to furnish the grafts. The limbs or branches of each 

 tree, which are thus to be united, must be pared with a long 

 sloping cut of several inches, nearly to the centre ; and the 

 parts of each tree thus prepared are to be brought together, 

 and finally secured by a bandage of matting, so that the 

 bark shall meet as nearly as possible. The graft may then 

 be covered with clay or composition; and \vhen a complete 

 union has taken place, the trees or shrubs may be separated 

 with a sharp knife, by cutting off below the junction. 



It may be here observed that, as young grafted trees itt 

 the nursery progress in growth, the lower side-limbs should 

 be gradually shortened, but not suddenly close-pruned 

 they are essential for a time to strengthen the trunks, ant. 

 to the upright and perfect formation of the tree. 



3* 



