THE DAWN OF SPRING 



canker, may be chosen as an example of the procedure March 

 to be adopted ; the process is the same with the other 16-31 

 kinds. The time may differ somewhat according as the 

 tree is an early or late grower ; Cherries generally move 

 before Pears, and Pears before Apples ; and it is when 

 the buds on the lower part of a tree begin to swell that 

 the grafting should be done. This generally occurs in 

 the latter half of March or the first half of April. Let 

 me take the various points. 



Varieties of Apples for Grafting. — It is no use choos- 

 ing a weakly variety for use as a scion. We must select 

 a strong one — a sort that grows freely and healthily. 

 Here are a few such varieties ; 



Annie Elizabeth Lord Derby 



Blenheim Orange Peasgood's Nonsuch 



Bramley's Seedling Stone's 



Ecklinville Seedling AUington Pippin 



Emperor Alexander Baumann's Reinette 



Worcester Pearmain 



The last three are dessert varieties ; all the others are 

 cookers. 



How to Prepare a Tree for Grafting. — Carefully examine 

 the tree, and fix on a number of shoots springing from 

 the forks of the main stem at points where they (the 

 shoots) are healthy, free from knots, and about two 

 inches thick. It is not necessary that all be on the same 

 level — in fact, it is an advantage if those towards the 

 centre of the tree are on a somewhat higher level than 

 those outside. Cut back to the points chosen with a saw, 

 clear away the top-hamper, trim the stumps clean with a 

 sharp knife, and make two slits down the bark two inches 

 long, on opposite sides of the stump. Raise the edges 

 of the bark by tapping down a thin, hollow, wood- 

 carving chisel (not a carpenter's or iron chisel, which 

 155 



