PROPAGATION OF THE APPLE. 119 



when, as a consequence, the bark will separate freely, and 

 the work be expeditious as well as sure of success. These 

 are headed back the following spring, according to the treat- 

 ment described in the chapter on budding. 



2. Root-grafting. This is done by whip or tongue 

 grafting, already described on a previous page. When per- 

 formed on a large scale, by nurserymen, the season selected 

 is the latter part of winter, and before the commencement 

 of the usual spring operations. It is wholly performed 

 within doors, and consequently the seedlings must be taken 

 up the preceding autumn. Most of the part above ground 

 is cut off, to save room, and they are then packed in tight 

 boxes, to be secure from mice, in a common cellar. The 

 usual practice is to fill the interstices among the roots with 

 moist earth ; but pulverised muck is better, as it admits a 

 more easy separation of the trees, and they are less covered 

 with grit, and more easily washed. Trees of two years' 

 growth are usually quite large enough, and sometimes one- 

 year seedlings will do. 



When ready to commence grafting, roots enough for one 

 day's work are taken, the side roots trimmed within about 

 a quarter of an inch of the main root, and they are cut in 

 pieces about four inches long ; the upper piece may have a 

 portion of the stem attached. They are then washed by 

 stirring them in a pail of water, leaving them in the water, 

 and taking out small quantities to dry, as wanted for use. 

 Scions for half a day's work are then cut about four inches 

 long, and a portion prepared for setting by cutting the usual 

 slope and tongue at the lower end. The roots are then cut 

 one by one in the same way, and the grafts inserted. The 

 place of union is then covered with grafting wax. This 

 may be applied, either directly in a melted state, with a 

 small brush, which is best and most expeditious; or by 

 rolling tightly round, a small strip of wax plaster. Tying 

 with strings is wholly needless, if the grafting has been 

 properly done by crowding the tongue and cleft closely 

 together, so that the parts cannot be easily displaced. Wax 

 for this purpose, being placed always beneath the surface of 

 the soil, should be softer than for other grafting, to facilitate 

 its more ready application, and to prevent any danger of 

 scorching the bark by heating it in melting. A larger 



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