48 PROPAGATION. 



the upper cuts. The sharpened pieces or shoots are then bent 

 outward in the middle until the points will enter the open- 

 ings, when they are firmly crowded in with the hand until 

 brought nearly straight, as shown in the figure. Fig. 78 ex- 

 hibits a section of the tree and the exact position of these 

 pieces when inserted. Where a large number of trees are in- 

 jured, four or five pieces to each tree are enough. They will 

 rapidly enlarge as the tree grows, and in a few years become 

 confluent. If a few choice trees have been girdled, a larger 

 number may be inserted, so that they may be nearly in con- 

 tact thus securing a complete cure in a year or two. The 

 work may be covered with grafting wax or with a small 

 mound of earth perhaps the operation would be successful 

 without any covering. It is not necessary that it be performed 

 very early in spring it will even answer after the buds have 

 begun to swell. 



