GRAFTING AND NURSERIES. 24! 



especially when the plant is bleeding, for reasons already 

 stated. The stock thus prepared is grafted, if very large, 

 with the ordinary or double-cleft graft (Figs. 106 to 108) ; if 

 small in dimensions, and one or two years old only, with 

 the English cleft or Whip-tongue graft. The English cleft- 

 graft gives the greater number of unions, for reasons already 

 given, and also because it allows the sap to escape easier than 

 the whip-tongue. 



The point where the stock is grafted may be level with 

 the ground, especially in cold districts of the centre and the 

 east of France, never below ; but preferably ^ or 1 1 / inches 

 above the surface in the hot regions of the south. Under 

 these conditions the roots of the scion are more easily 

 removed ; and, later on, being always above ground, roots 

 never grow at the base of the scion, so that the ultimate 

 liberation of the scion is not to be feared ; the knitting tissue 

 being also exposed to the air lignifies better, becomes hard 

 and resistant, and, therefore, less affected by frosts and 

 knocks. 



Acording to the season, the joint is bound with sulphated 

 raffia, isolated by tin or lead foil, or with ordinary raffia. 

 Fine loose soil is then earthed up around the stump. In very 

 stiff soils it is better to use sand to cover up the scion, for 

 reasons already given. 



The mound should be 40 to 45 cm. (14 to 16 inches) 

 in diameter at its base ; it must cover the scion completely, 

 in such a way that after the mound has settled down the top 

 eye be covered with 34 inch of soil only before it starts 

 growing. The mound maintains the graft at an even 

 temperature, prevents it from drying, and also from being 

 knocked out by wind, etc. To guard against the latter 

 accident, it is advisable to place a stake at the foot of each 

 graft, to which the shoots may be tied as they grow. 



The graft on old stocks of large dimensions is less suc- 

 cessful than on stocks of smaller diameter. This cannot be 

 due to their structure, which is always similar whatever their 

 age may be ; but it is more likely due to the great quan- 

 tity of sap escaping from the section. 



(c) Severing the Roots. When the knitting is almost 

 complete, that is to say, in July or August, according to 

 the district, the roots which have developed on the scions 

 should be removed. All shoots grown from the stock having 

 been removed as they appeared. 



