J2 6 THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



plaster for excised gum or canker wounds, also for wounds inflicted in removing large 

 limbs. In all cases it is best to knead the clay or clayey loam until of the consistency of 

 soft soap. Horse- droppings should be rubbed through a half-inch sieve. Add the cow 

 manure and other ingredients, moistening, mixing, and beating them into an adhesive 

 plastic mass. It is advised to temper the clay by a process of turning and battering at 

 intervals of a few days for some weeks before using, but the cow and horse droppings 

 or hay must not be added until the mixture is required for use. It will keep in working 

 condition for several days if well covered, or if a concavity be made in the top of the 

 heap and filled with water, this will keep the clay moist. In claying the graft, rub the 

 mixture well over the tying, closing all crevices by squeezing the clay into them ; then 

 take a ball, large or small as required, to cover the parts, placing it evenly round so as 

 to form a mass, tapering to the top and bottom as shown at I in the tree, Q, page 123. A 

 basket containing dry finely-sifted coal ashes or sand should be provided, some of whicli, 

 taken between the hands and disposed over the clay, will enable the operator to press 

 the pigment into shape, and close the hole about the grafted part with a perfect finish. 

 It must be so closed that no air can possibly enter ; and it is well to examine the work 

 in three or four days afterwards, and if any cracks are seen they must be promptly 

 closed, the object of claying and waxing being to exclude air from the points of 

 union. 



Scions push rather slowly for some time after grafting, but buds in the stock often 

 start vigorously ; one or two of these may grow to the extent of an inch or two to draw 

 the sap to the scions, but as soon as the latter start growth, the shoots on the stock below 

 must be topped and subsequently cut off when the grafts are growing freely. When 

 the shoots from the scion are about 6 inches long, the ligatures require loosening. 

 This must be done very carefully, as any violence in handling will break the still soft 

 tissue which unites the stock and scion. Bind up again less tightly to prevent the scion 

 slipping. If clay has been used it may be necessary to remove it in order to loosen 

 the ligature. The clay comes off readily enough in damp weather, but if dry it is 

 necessary to remove it by force. A brick held at one side and the other struck sharply 

 with a hammer will cause the ball to break off, especially if the clay has been damped 

 through a rose watering-pot some little time previously. Ee-adjust the tie as before 

 advised, or if the union is complete it is unnecessary. Imperfectly-united joints should 

 have a little fresh clay applied as well as re-tying. Insert a stick into the ground close 

 to each tree, and tie it to the stock below the graft ; then tie the scion and stock to the 



