234 



AMERICAN VINES. 



Fig. 115. Saddle Grafts. 



The saddle graft (Fig. 115) is the reverse of the cleft-graft; 

 the stock is cut wedge shape; the two oblique terminal 



sections form callus sparingly 

 for reasons already given; 

 the knitting takes place 

 badly, and, in addition, the 

 scion developes many roots. 



The dovetail graft can only 

 be made with machines, it 

 gives a fairly good joint, but 

 has so far been very little 

 used. 



(e) Binding and Waxing. 

 Of the numerous systems 

 of binding, several are very 

 good, others have been dis- 

 carded ; those in which raffia 

 is used are most generally 

 adopted. What is required of the binding is to retain the two 

 parts in firm contact until the tissues of the joint are knitted 

 and become lignified. Therefore the binding should last a 

 sufficient length of time; it should not be made so tight as 

 to hinder the expansion of the parts becoming united, or, in 

 other words, there should be no strangulation of the joint 

 (Fig. 116). 



There are two means of attaining this object: first, by 

 bindings which resist decomposition for a long time and 

 expand (elastic bands or tape of indiarubber) ; second, 

 those which soon become rotten, or are easily removed when 

 the solidity of the joint renders them unnecessary. Raffia* 

 has, at least under certain circumstances, both these quali- 

 ties; hence the indiarubber tape or band, although very 

 good, has been discarded in favour of the less costly raffia. 



When the grafting has been done early in the season the 

 raffia rots a little too soon, and the sections of the graft 

 have a tendency, through the expansion of the callus, to 

 split asunder. By soaking the raphia in a solution of sul- 

 phate of copper (blue vitrol), 15 to 45 grains per pint of 

 water, its durability is much increased, and if it is found, 



* Raffia, or Raphia, is the thin strong cuticle of the leaf of Raphia Ruffia, a 

 palm, native of Madagascar; Raphia Toedigera, or Jupati-palm, a Brazilian species 

 is also exported to Europe, and helps to make up the bulk of the Raffia of 

 commerce. (Transls.) 



