GRAFTING 93 



inverted X, while in some other sections of the country the 

 cut is made at the top which forms the letter T in an up- 

 right position. There is little difference seen in the subse- 

 quent results no matter what method is used, and it is usually 

 left to the individual as to which way the cut is made. 



Plate Bud. — Plate budding is not a very important com- 

 mercial form. It is occasionally used on some of the orna- 

 mentals and some other rare stocks. Plate budding takes 

 its name from the plate-like piece of bark that is cut and 

 allowed to hang down in the form of a hinge. Plate budding 

 is performed as follows: 



A rectangular incision one-half to three-fourths of an inch 

 in width and one to one and one-fourth inches in length 

 is cut through the bark on the stock. Three sides of the 

 bark are cut, leaving the fourth intact. This method of 

 making the incision permits the bark to bend back on the 

 fourth side, forming a hinge. The bud is cut rectangular 

 in shape to fit the cut made on the stock. No wood should 

 be attached to the bark bearing the bud. The bark should 

 be cut in such a way that the bud will be closer to the upper 

 edge of the bark. The bud is then fitted to the stock and the 

 flap of bark on the stock is turned up over the bud and firmly 

 tied in place. The cord used for tying should pass around 

 the stock underneath the bud, so as not to interfere with 

 the subsequent growth of it. In this method of budding 

 the bark serves as a protection to the bud until it starts its 

 growth. 



GRAFTING. 



Grafting is the vegetative multiplication of plants. A cion 

 which is a twig with one or more buds is inserted into 

 the stock of a plant. The cion is usually placed into an 

 incision or a cleft in the stock, made for that purpose. Graft- 

 ing is divided into several different types. Each type is 

 designated by the way in which the stock and the cion are 

 joined. It is also classified with reference to the position 

 of the union upon the plant. 



Four general classes of grafting are usually made wdth 

 reference to the position of the cion on the stock: (1) Top 



