GRAFTING AND NURSERIES. 



253 



such a way that the joints be below the general surface, 

 although this is not of very great importance. What is 

 more important is that the soil should be rammed round the 

 cutting, and above all that the upper eye of the scions be 

 exactly on the same level, so as to be covered with an even 

 thickness of soil. 



The application of this rule is the best guarantee of 

 success ; for if the more or less perfect execution of the 

 joints is an important element 

 of success, the way in which 

 the planting is performed is 

 even of greater importance ; 

 and many failures attributed 

 to the bad quality of the joint, 

 etc., were simply due to badly 

 carried out planting. It is of 

 the utmost importance, as 

 already pointed out, for the eye 

 to be covered with a thin layer 



of soil ( J 4 inch) and not left bare, in order to develop well. 

 If the eyes are not all on the same level after the earthing 

 up, some will naturally be too much covered and will not 

 develop, or others, insufficiently covered, will become dry. 



With a fork, the operation is more rapidly carried out, but 

 this method can only be applied to very friable light soil. 



With trenches the operation is quite as rapidly performed. 

 The trenches are dug 35 cm. (14 inches) in depth and 50 to 

 60 cm. (20 to 24 inches) apart. One of the walls is cut sloping, 

 the grafts are placed against it, in such a way that the top 



Fig- 135- Grafted Cuttings planted 

 with a dibble. 



Level of soil 



Fig. 136. Nursery Beds. 



eyes be all at the same level. The manure may be placed at 

 the bottom of the trench, at the opposite angle. The soil 

 taken from the slope is left at the bottom of the trench, and 

 used to cover the manure, and it is in that loose soil that the 

 base of the cutting is placed, the soil being then lightly 



