GRAFTING AND BUDDIXG 309 



The reader who has followed the accounts of 

 the long series of experiments necessary to 

 develop, say, an early-bearing cherry or a stone- 

 less plum will appreciate in some measure the 

 value of a system of grafting which shortens by 

 two to ten years the interval between successive 

 generations. 



It will be readily comprehensible that by the 

 use of these grafting methods I have been able 

 to attain success in development of new varieties 

 of fruits in less than half the term of years that 

 would otherwise have been required. 



GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF GRAFTING 



The single principle that underlies all success- 

 ful grafting, is that the layer of tissue called the 

 cambium layer, lying just beneath the bark of 

 the twig, shall be brought in intimate contact 

 with the corresponding layer of tissue of the 

 stock on which it is grafted. The life-giving sap 

 flows through this thin layer of tissue only. As 

 to the central woody tissues the so-called heart 

 of the twig there will be no union between 

 stock and cion in any case. 



But this is of no consequence since the new 

 growth of wood soon covers the trivial wound 

 with which the cambium layer will make ready 

 union under favorable circumstances; and the 



