CHERRIES GRAF7 L\G. , 2 



late seas 3ns Cloudy weather should be chosen for the operation, and cave taken to 

 select wood buds. For instructions on budding, see Vol. I., pages 115-120. Budding 

 is the best mode of propagating the cherry. 



Grafting. Should the buds fail, the stocks may be grafted the following spring, 

 proceeding by whip-grafting, Vol. I., pages 122-128. Particular care must be bestowed 

 on the selection of scions, choosing those with firm wood and having wood buds. 

 Vigorous shoots with large pith may succeed when taken off in good time, but they are 

 not so desirable as the moderately strong shoots. Some contain only blossom buds with 

 a wood bud at the extremity. This must be retained, for success depends upon the 

 presence of a wood bud or buds in the scion. The shoots for scions should be cut off 

 and inserted in the soil during the first mild weather in January or soon afterwards. 

 This is important, because scions cut off when wanted for grafting often fail, whilst 

 shoots cut off early in the year and kept in the soil in a shady place until the stocks 

 have begun to grow, nearly all succeed when grafted. 



The end of March or beginning of April is the proper time to operate. The sap is 

 then sufficiently active to effect a speedy union of stock and scion, and that without 

 danger of gumming, provided the cuts are clean, and the wounds covered without delay 

 with grafting- wax. Claying is not n,early so good as plastering the wounds with grafting- 

 wax, which stops any exudation and prevents gumming. 



Whether budding or grafting is practised, stocks for dwarf trees should be worked 

 at 6 to 9 inches from the ground, quarter standards at 18 inches, half standards at 

 3 feet, three-quarter standards at 4 feet 6 inches, full orchard standards at 6 feet in 

 height. Eiders or trees on tall stocks are sometimes employed for covering the upper 

 part of high walls, or buildings where cattle have access to the lower parts, the stems 

 there being protected, and are usually 7 feet 6 inches in height. The seedling or stock 

 cherries grow faster and straighter than the cultivated sorts ; therefore, it is advisable to 

 form the stems of the stocks. 



Double grafting is a desirable method of securing the Gean, Heart, and Bigarreau 

 cherries on Mahaleb roots for garden trees. The seedling Morello forms an excellent 

 intermediary. Double grafting is exemplified in Vol. I., pages 128-130. Budding, 

 however, is preferable to grafting. 



SITE AND SOIL. 

 Situation. The cherry does not succeed everywhere; at least, its cultivation in 



VOL. II. B 



