34 How TO MAKE GRAPE CULTURE PROFITABLE IN CALIFORNIA 



the scion inserted in such a place generally grows without failure. 

 The slanting cuts on the scion should come up to the bud as near 

 as possible, so this rests closely against the stock. This graft can 

 be employed on stocks not much more than one-half inch in di- 

 ameter. Such small stocks would of course need a ligature. In ty- 

 ing grafts interspaces should be left between the windings, to leave 

 room for the callous. 



On dry gravelly soils most anything will do for tying material, 

 but on wet heavy land bluestoned raffia is the best, in order to pre- 

 vent rotting of ligature and also decay of the .cut surfaces of both 

 scion and stock. Raffia is bluestoned by soaking it in a three per 

 cent solution of bluestone (4 ounces in a gallon of water) for 2-i 

 hours ; it is then hung up to dry. Before using it is washed thor- 

 oughly in running water, to remove the bluestone from its outside, 

 and is then kept moist and ready for use. 



With the suckering of the grafts one should be very careful. 

 It is best not to disturb the grafts with the appearance of the first 

 suckers, but simply pinch these. After a while the earth may be 

 removed from around the grafts and all the suckers cut off, provid- 

 ed the scion has made a growth of one foot or more. If this is not 

 the case two or three suckers near the top of the stock should be 

 left and pinched again. Too severe suckering will easily kill the 

 graft or even the vine, as it is apt to cause souring of the sap. 



Along in July or August all the grafts should be carefully ex- 

 amined, the tyings and the roots, that have started from the scions 

 cut off, and then well mounded up again, as the knitting of the scion 

 and the stock goes on better under ground than above. 



Cuttings to be used as scions are best kept in boxes filled with 

 sand and placed in a cool place. The sand can be moist when the 

 cuttings are first put into it, but gradually as the sand dries out the 

 cuttings become "cured" and are then much less subject to drying 

 out, if used in the field and the ground should become very dry, 

 and also less subject to decay, if the ground should be very wet. 

 Cuttings to be used for propagation on their own roots are better 

 buried outside in a well drained place of gravelly or sandy soil. 



3. Budding. This has not been given a fair and thorough trial 

 in California so far and it is therefore difficult to say at present, 

 what can be done in this line. As our atmosphere is much drier 

 during the summer than that of France, it probably will need some 

 modifications. How to select buds for budding and how to insert 

 them, has been well described by Prof. Twight in one of the State 

 University bulletins, which is sent to any one who asks for it. 



CHAPTER VI. 

 Creation of New Hybrids for Grafting Stocks. 



As has been stated, grafting-stocks of a much greater adapt- 

 ability to different soil and climatic conditions than the pure species 

 possess, can be obtained by crossing or hybridizing varieties be- 

 longing to different species. Crossing and hybridizing do not 

 mean exactly the same thing. A hybrid is obtained from a seed, 



