PROPAGATING APPLE-TREES. 



29 



stock aud 



When a cion is to be set on the side of a branch, or small 

 tree, make a slit on the stock, precisely as when a bud is 

 to be inserted, as represented by the illus- 

 tration (Fig. 4). Next, commencing at the 

 top of the slit, raise the bark on each side, 

 to admit the lower end of the cion, which 

 should be prepared before the slit is made. 

 The cion should be short, not more than two 

 inches long. One bud on it will suffice. A 

 long cion is more liable to get displaced than 

 a short one. Shave off the lower end true, 

 and with a sloping cut, as shown by Fig. 

 4 herewith given, and crowd the prepared 

 end down in the slit, in the same manner 

 tnat a ^ u & ' IS inserted. The end of the cion 

 side-grafting. S h uld fit neatly. If the stock be small, the 

 end of the cion may be hollowed out a trifle with a small, 

 sharp gouge. It will be necessary to touch the edges of 

 the slit made for the reception of the graft Fip>> 5 

 with a piece of soap ; otherwise root-lice, which 

 are in the tops of the trees in summer, will 

 enter the wound, and prevent the union of the 

 stock and graft. Now bind the parts together, 

 using strong cotton twine for large branches, 

 or, for small ones, strong, coarse, woollen yarn, 

 or such materials as are used in budding. The 

 accompanying illustration (Fig. 5) represents a 

 stock just grafted in this manner. After the 

 ligature is tied, cover the wound with a thin 

 plaster of wax. Good cions, neatly fitted, if 

 inserted at the time the annual layer of new 

 wood is being made, will unite with the limbs Side -g raftin s- 

 as readily as buds. One of the eminent advantages of side- 

 grafting is, that a new branch may be started on the side 



