520 THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



at the time of budding, but in the autumn it may be cut off about 2 inches above the 

 bud, unless a portion is left for securing the growth from the inserted bud : then 4 to 

 G inches of the stock may be left, as shown at / in the illustration (page 119). Is"o 

 growth must be allowed from the stock except that of the inserted bud. When it has 

 grown about 12 inches the stub is cut off to about three-quarters of an inch or less from 

 the bud, the wounds covered with grafting-wax, and the bark then quickly grows over 

 them. The cut should slope from the bud growth, as shown in the figure by the dotted 

 lines through the stock, /. Avoid late autumn or winter snagging, or the wounds will 

 not heal freely ; a portion of the wood of the stock opposite the bud may die, and have 

 to be cut away time after time. As there are apt to be dormant buds on the stock below 

 the inserted bud, the trees should be examined occasionally, and all such, and suckers, 

 must be removed. Proper care must be taken in securing the scion to a stake where a 

 stub is not left. The stub, though convenient, is not desirable, as it increases the size 

 of the wound to be healed. 



GRAFTING. 



This is one of the most ancient and important modes of preserving and increasing 

 varieties, as well as facilitating the bearing of fruit trees. Success, as with budding, 

 consists in bringing the growing wood or alburnum of the graft into contact with 

 the same layer in that of the stock. Grafting is applicable for the production of 

 young trees, for transforming unhealthy into healthy, and for changing old trees 

 that bear indifferent fruit into producers of better examples of superior varieties. The 

 trees that are cut down for grafting are known as stocks, the portions to be affixed 

 being the grafts or scions. 



The time of operating varies with season and locality. Usually the best time in 

 the south is from the middle of March to April ; in the north, the first fortnight of 

 April. Young trees or stocks, as a rule, are ready to graft ten days to a fortnight before 

 old trees. Generally it is better to work rather late than too early. It should not be 

 attempted until the sap is flowing freely in the stock, or about the time that leaf buds on 

 adjacent trees are bursting. The stocks should be headed to near the point of inserting 

 the grafts, some time in advance of the operation, and before the sap rises. Late head- 

 ing is apt to result in gum and canker. If either the stock or scion, or both, are too 

 far advanced in growth when they are cut, success is very uncertain, and should the 

 grafts " take," gumming is almost sure to ensue in the case of the cherry and plum. 



