EXERCISE 15 

 COLLECTING MATERIAL FOR STARTING PLANTS 



Object. To collect and store material to be used for 

 grafting and making cuttings. 



Explanation. Twigs and branches for grafting and cut- 

 tings must be collected when they are in a dormant stage. 

 This can usually be best accomplished in the fall soon after 

 the leaves have fallen. They should be stored in a cellar 

 where they will not freeze and where they will remain moist. 



Equipment. 1. A sharp knife. 



2. A barrel or box for storing cuttings. 



Directions. Go into an orchard where the variety of the 

 trees and quality of the apples are known. Collect twigs 

 only from trees that are thrifty and that produce a good 

 quality of apples. Use wood of the previous season's growth. 

 Collect two hundred twigs, ranging in length from four to ten 

 inches. Tie them in bundles of twenty-five each. Label 

 each bundle with the name of the variety. 



Go into a vineyard and select twigs from grapevines. Col- 

 lect fifty twigs from grapevines that produce a good quality 

 of grapes. These twigs should be from five to ten inches 

 long. Label them with the name of the variety and tie 

 them in bundles of twenty-five each. 



Go into a wood lot and select twigs from willow or cotton- 



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