88 



THE DICTIONARY OF GARDENING, 



Grafting continued. 



hardier and more vigorous of the two. This is exempli- 

 fied, and the desired results attained, in many cases, by 

 Grafting various strong-growing varieties of Apples on 

 the Paradise stock, Cherries on the Mahaleb, and Pears 

 on the Quince. In these and other instances, the stock 

 is restricted in its root-growth, and the supply of sap 

 transmitted to the grafted portion is, consequently, limited. 

 This latter condition tends to encourage fruit-bearing 

 instead of vigorous wood, and proves, by results, the 

 modifying effect of the stock and the superior results in 

 productiveness thereby secured. Double-grafting is some- 

 times adopted as another means for reaching the same 

 end, by having a variety of intermediate growth inserted 

 first on the stock, this to be ultimately grafted with the 



FIG. 133. DOUBLE-GRAFTING. 



one it is intended to propagate. Fig. 133 is intended 

 to illustrate what is here meant in the case of Grafting 

 the Pear. The special influence exerted on the part of 

 the stock or scion with certain varieties in either direc- 

 tion, can only be learned by experience. Grafting should 

 be performed when the sap is in motion, between the time 

 when it begins flowing in spring and a period before 

 it ceases in autumn, avoiding the middle of summer, or 

 any very hot weather. It is most largely practised, both 

 indoors and outside, in early spring, the scions being 

 slightly retarded by keeping them in a cooler place, or, 

 in the case of fruit trees, previously cutting and inlaying 

 them in the ground. Calm, moist weather is most suitable 

 for the operation outside, which should always be skil- 

 fully performed, by means of clean cuts, a careful fitting 

 of the parts together, and an exclusion of air by the 

 application of grafting-clay or wax. Close frames or cool 

 houses are requisite for tender plants, and for various 

 evergreen trees or shrubs, until the parts have become 

 united. Many of these do not require any clay or graft- 

 ing wax, if kept moist, quite close, and shaded. Heat is 

 unnecessary in the case of many hardy plants, a protec- 

 tion from the drying influence of wind and sun being 

 all that is required. There are various methods of Graft- 

 ing that may be successfully practised, according to the 

 size or variety of subject it is intended to propagate 

 or improve. The following are those most generally 

 used, and all are subject to slight modifications under 

 varied circumstances. 



In Pig. 134, A shows the mode of tying the graft 

 adopted with many fruit trees, and B the work com- 

 pleted by the application of clay, which should be left 

 in the shape shown, and be carefully fitted to the stock 

 and scion. This plan may be employed either for dwarf 



Grafting continued. 



or tall stocks. All grafts inserted outside should be 

 protected, and kept from moving by a stake, which 



FIG. 134. MODE OF TYING AND CLAYING GRAFT. 

 should reach nearly or quite to the top, and have both 



FIG. 135. MODE OF SUPPORTING THE GRAFT. 

 stock and scion secured to it, to prevent the latter bo- 

 coming displaced (see Fig. 135). 



FIG. 156. WHIP OR TONGUE-GRAFTING. 



