HOW TO PROPAGATE FRUIT-BEARING TREES. 66? 



Liowever, there will be some point of contact between the scions 

 and this stock anyway, if the scions be obliquely set. Having been 



E laced, the end of the engrafted branch, and its circumference, so 

 ir as the cleft or split in it shall extend, should be covered thor- 

 oughly with the wax which is prepared for grafting purposes. This 

 can be compounded from resin, tallow and beeswax, the parts of 

 each constituent being equal, and melted and thoroughly mixed 

 with each other. If the mixing of this wax shall be continued by 

 working the particles together in the hands until the whole mass is 

 almost cold, it will be of a better quality. 



Method of Whip-Grafting This is the method to be em- 

 ployed upon trees of small growth. It is done by the use of a 

 stock and a scion which are of equal size, the end oi each being 

 cut in an angular shape, so that one will lock into and fii closely the 

 other. When two parts shall have been fitted, the place where they 

 are joined together should be tied firmly, though carefully, by 

 wrapping cloths or yarns about it, pressing the parts closely against 

 each other, and smearing with grafting-wax, in which position the 

 engrafted limb should be left until the expiration of ten days or 

 thereabouts, when the strings which have held the united parts to- 

 gether, may be cut; and if the two parts have become well knitted 

 together during the interval, and their union seems to be strong, 

 the operation can be considered successful. If not, the protection 

 should be again placed over the joint, and should remain there un- 

 til the parts shall have become entirely engrafted with each other. 

 The time of the year when grafting should be done is as early in the 

 spring as may be after the sap shall have commenced its circulation 

 through the tree. 



Method of Budding For the purpose of multiplying the 

 growth of desired varieties of fruit of the large kinds, budding is 

 more generally used than any other manner of grafting. It can be 

 accomplished with ease and success if reasonable care is exercised 

 in performing the operation, and it will rapidly increase the pro- 

 duction of any especially valued variety of fruit. The operation is 

 most successful when undertaken upon trees which have had the 

 advantage of the development of a year or two ; and upon trees 

 which have reached a matured growth, budding can be performed 

 to good purpose, if the attempt be confined to small branches. The 

 manner of performing the operation is to make a cross cut at soire 

 smooth place on the stock, in which the bud is to be inserted, and 

 downward from this cut, make with the knife a slit from one to two 

 inches long, lifting up the edges of the bark somewhat with the 

 knife point. Into this slit the Dud, which must have been removed 

 in connection with a little wedge of the wood of the tree from which 

 it is taken, should be inserted and pressed downward, so that it shall 

 be held firmly in its place, and then the stock should be bound by 

 bringing round it cotton yarn or cloth, and tying them in such wise 

 as to press the bark of the stock close upon the bud. In tying this 



