METHODS OF GRAFTING DESCRIBED 77 



Then prepare the* scion by whittling it to wedge-shape at the lower 

 end. Open the slit in the stock with a little wedge and insert the 

 scion so that its inner bark matches with the inner bark of the stock, 

 something as shown in the second figure. It does not matter whether 

 the outside of the scion is flush with the outside of the stock or not ; 

 the vital point is to get the growing layers, just inside the barks, in 

 contact with each other, and, to be sure of this it may be well to give 

 the scion a slight diagonal pitch, for if the barks cross each other, 

 this desirable contact is sure to be made. It is well to make the side 

 of the wedge of the scion which goes nearer to the center of the stock 

 a little thinner than the outside. 



A scion for a root graft is cut longer than for use in the top of 

 the tree, for in planting, the point of grafting is placed a little way 

 underground. Such scions are usually cut with four or five buds. 

 After the scion is in place, it only remains to wrap it closely with a 

 piece of waxed cloth or paper, in such a way that all the cut surfaces 

 are covered, extending the wrapper a little below the split in the 

 root. Paint over the wrapper with warm wax put on with a brush, 

 put a little on the top of the scion, and the graft is complete. 



Side Grafting. Another method which prevents splitting the 

 stock is the side graft, shown in the accompanying figure. It con- 

 sists in bending the stock to one side and cutting in diagonally with 

 a thin-bladed, sharp knife, a little more than half way through the 

 stock. Into this open cut insert the scion so that the inner barks 

 touch ; then allowing the stock to straighten up, hold the scion 

 firmly. Covering with a wax band drawn tight makes a good job, 

 and such grafts make as good growth as the buds set the previous 

 summer. This method can be used with stems or branches up to an 

 inch in diameter, and is essentially the same, as will be mentioned 

 later, as a side graft for working over old trees. In this style of 

 grafting, a stub of three inches or more may be left above the graft, 

 and to this the graft can be tied to prevent blowing out if it makes 

 a strong growth. Afterward the stub is cut back with a sloping cut 

 and waxed or painted to prevent checking. 



Whip Grafting in the Stem. Grafting above the root or in the 

 stem of the stock when stock and scion are about the same size, is 

 done by tongue or whip grafting. The accompanying sketch shows 

 a whip graft in the stem of the stock. Grafts up to an inch in 

 diameter can be made in this way, but it is generally used for smaller 

 wood. Care must be taken to secure proper contacts of the inner 

 barks at least on one side of the stock. After pushing the parts 

 together, a wax band holds them firmly in place, or the joint may be 

 simply tied and painted over with wax. 



A Root Graft. When the root stock and the scion are about the 

 same size, the tongue graft is also used, as shown in the figure. In 

 making this both the stock and scion are given a sloping cut of about 

 the same length, and a secondary cut made in each. When the two 

 are put together the wood "tongues in," or interlocks as shown in 

 the engraving. The object of this is to make more points of contact 



