M; AM) Hi DDIXG 961 



(.KAKTI \(i 



Bridge grafting is a modified form of cleft grafting and is 

 often used to repair damage to trunks of trees when the bark has 

 been injured or removed by rabbits or mice. The process may be 

 I'sed for inarching to supply added strength to branches, to bridge 

 over wounds caused by broken limbs, or where blights and cankers 

 have been cut out. 



Before bridging, the exposed wood should be painted with thick 

 linseed oil paint. Scions previously collected should be inserted 

 as shown in Fig 284 (b) and (c), and they should be carefully 

 waxed as in cleft grafting. 



GRAFTING WAX 



For outdoor or top grafting a grafting wax made of the fol- 

 lowing is recommended: 4 pounds resin, 1 pound beeswax, 1 pint 

 linseed oil. The wax should be melted. If to be used in plastic 

 form, small portions of the hot w>ax must be poured into a bucket 

 or pulled into pliable strips. If, however, the wax is to be applied 

 hot with a brush, it may be heated in the field with hot water or 

 over a portable heater, such as an oil stove. 



Waxed tape or string are prepared by dropping small balls of 

 either into hot wax and leaving for a few moments. 



Grafting wax for indoor work may be made as follows: 6 

 pounds resin, 1 pound beeswax, 1 pound mutton tallow or 1 pint 

 linseed oil. When heated to a temperature of 175 degrees F. 

 apply with a brush. 



BUDDING 



AYhile grafting is usually done in the dormant or early spring 

 season with the use of only dormant scions, budding is ordinarily 

 done in the summer or fall when the stock and bud sticks are in 

 growing condition. 



The exact time to bud is when the stock will peel ; that is, when 

 the bark can be carefully lifted, and when bud sticks of the cur- 

 rent season's growth of proper maturity can be secured. Bud 

 sticks are selected and the leaves are 'at once cut as shown in 

 Fig. 285 (b). The way to cut the bud is shown in Fig. 285 at (c). 

 A cross cut is made just through the back of the stock and then 

 a down cut is made. The points or corners are carefully raised 



