GENERAL PRACTICE. GRAFTING-WAX AND CLAY. 115 



In using the grafting-wax only a small portion is applied with a brush so as just 

 to make the joint air-tight, examining the dressing occasionally, and if any cracks 

 appear, promptly filling them so as to leave a smooth close surface. As a good 

 grafting- wax is requisite, a few recipes will be useful. 



1. To be used warm. (a) 2 pounds of resin, 1 pound of beeswax, J pound of 

 tallow ; (b) 5 pounds of resin, 2 pounds of bar soap, 1 pound of beeswax, 1 pound of 

 tallow ; (e) 3 pounds of resin, 3 pounds of beeswax, 2 pounds of tallow. All these 

 are made into their respective mixtures by the aid of gentle heat, and as they 

 contain no injurious ingredients, such as turpentine and pitch, and are softer than 

 most preparations, they are not liable to crack. One of the least objectionable mix- 

 tures containing pitch is made as follows : 8 pounds of resin, 3 pounds of tallow, 

 3 pounds of red ochre, 1 pound of burgundy pitch. Melt the resin in an iron pot, 

 add the tallow and ochre last, stirring well, not making too hot. During grafting 

 the wax must be kept warm enough to apply easily with a brush, taking care not 

 to apply it too hot. To keep the wax in a proper state the pot should be kept on 

 a hot brick, changing this for another as it cools, but it is better to heat the wax 

 in a pot inside another vessel which is partly full of water. A glue pot or kettle 

 is admirably adapted for the purpose. The wax must be just warm enough to spread 

 easily, as if too hot it runs and does mischief. 



2. To be used cold. Melt 1 pound of resin over a gentle fire, add 1 ounce of beef 

 tallow, stirring well, taking off the fire when incorporated. Let it stand to cool a 

 little, then add a tablespoonful of spirits of turpentine. Mix, then add 7 ounces of 

 alcohol, which cools it down rapidly, necessitating placing the pot on the fire, 

 constantly stirring and taking great care to avoid the alcohol firing. This is a French 

 preparation, needing to be kept well corked. It must be put on thinly. As it sets 

 quickly and very hard, it is useful for covering wounds made in pruning as well as 

 for grafting purposes. Another recipe is : 1 pound of yellow wax, 1 pound of tur- 

 pentine, \ pound of burgundy pitch, J pound of mutton suet. Melt together, mix 

 thoroughly, leave to cool, then form into small balls and use as required similarly to 

 clay, but in very much less quantity. 



There are varied materials employed in making grafting-clay, namely : (a) Two 

 parts of clay and one part each of cow manure and finely-chopped hay. The hay is to 

 prevent cracking, (b) Two parts of clay, one part each of fresh cow manure and horse- 

 droppings, (c) Equal parts of stiff, clayey loam and cow manure. This is excellent as a 



