SIMl.'] GRArXIXG. 217 



No doubt, tlie younger the tree or branches to be 

 grafted, the better; but those expert in graliing 

 have wonderful success, even with very old apples, 

 apricots, pears, &c. 



Cleft, or crown grafting, are the methods most 

 generally practised by those who thus renovate old 

 trees, or, for fancy and amusement, engraft many 

 different varieties on the same tree. If it be intend- 

 ed to renovate a tree entirely, all the branches should 

 be headed and grafted ; whether it have been Jiai- 

 trained or have been trained liorizonicdly. They 

 need not, however, be ail cut to equal lengths ; but 

 indeed should be cut at diiferent lengtlis, in order 

 to have new w^ood issue, not all at one part, i!i a 

 crowded manner, but at various heights, and so as 

 that there may be room to train it properly. Two, 

 three, or four grafts should be put on each branch, 

 according to its size, in order to insure the taking of 

 one ; which is generally enough to leave ultimately, 

 unless it be thought right to leave two on the larger 

 branches, or on the stems of such trees as have liQen 

 trained horizontally, and have been headed entire- 

 ly down. 



In grafting such, on brandies more than two 

 inches diameter, crown-grafting is the method to 

 be advised ; for smaller stems or branches, clefts 

 grafting ; — methods known to every oiie proficient 

 in the science of grafting, and which need not here 

 be explained ; particularly as it is not supposed a 

 perfect novice would attempt a branch of the busi^ 

 ness so difficult, on such trees as nre now under 

 consideration, 



