GENERAL PRACTICE. PLANTING. ,37 



when the branches are large, half that when they are the thickness of a lead-pencil or 

 less, paring a similar slice off the stock ; then make a slit upwards in the branch so as 

 to form a tongue, and make a slit downward in the stock to receive it. Both are shown 

 in J (page 135), the scion with upper tongue (<?), the stock with under tongue (d). 

 They are then joined by slipping the tongue of the graft into the slit of the stock, 

 making them fit in an exact manner at least on one side, as shown in K. Then tie 

 closely together and cover with wax or clay. Let the grafts remain until united, 

 which takes from three to four months ; then separate them from the parent tree with 

 a steady hand, sloping the cut downwards close to the stock. If the head of the stock 

 was not cut off at the time of grafting, it must now be done close to the graft, 

 removing the old bandage, but this ought to be removed sooner to prevent its damaging 

 the bark. Detachment is shown by the dotted bar-lines. 



An adaptation of inarching is shown in Z, a seedling orange (0), producing nothing 

 but leaves and spines, having attached to it a fruiting branch of Maltese blood-orange 

 (/); and a grape-vine of an undesirable variety (g] having a superior sort (h) established 

 on it, the top of the old and bottom of the young being subsequently cut off. Vines 

 should not be worked until the stock and scion have made some growth, or bleeding 

 ensues. Further details will be given in the chapter on " Grapes." 



PLANTING. 



Laying Out. For convenience in cultivation fruit gardens and orchards are usually 

 laid out in squares or rectangular figures, and the trees are sometimes planted at right 

 angles to each other. The simplicity of the arrangement is apparent, and it affords a 

 means of alternating large and small trees either in single or double rows, as shown in 

 Fig. 24, on the following page, where different methods of planting are represented. 



To mark off the stations for the trees provide straight stakes sharpened at one end 

 and peeled or whitewashed at the other. Set these all round the plot of ground at the 

 required distance apart, then set a line of stakes each way through the centre in the 

 positions the trees are to occupy. After this there is no need of further measurement, 

 for the sighter at the ends of the rows has an assistant with stakes who places them 

 where directed. 



To set out in squares from a corner or side, select one side of the plot of ground as a 

 base, and determine the place for the first tree, which should be half the distance from 

 the end and side the trees are to be apart. If, say, 18 feet, then the stake for the 

 VOL. I. T 



