52 



HORTICULTURE 



LECT. Ill 



is in the branch attached being supported by its 

 parent till the union is effected. If a young vine 

 in a pot is stood by an old one planted out, and a 

 slice six inches long or thereabouts be taken from 

 the young vine in spring, and also a corresponding 

 slice from the old one, and the cut parts are made 

 to fit accurately, and kept close together by a soft 

 ligature, they will unite, and the point of junction 

 soon heal over. The young vine may then be severed 

 from its root and close to the point of union, while 

 the old vine may be cut down above it. In that way 

 vines are changed in variety, and the roots which sup- 

 ported black grapes in the past will support white 

 ones equally well, or vice versd, if such change be 

 desired. 



Many kinds of plants are united, such as oranges 

 and camellias ; but it is not always 

 convenient to operate in the manner 

 above described, and seldom by ama- 

 teurs. Take seedling orange trees, 

 for instance, so many of which are 

 raised from pips ; they may grow 

 for years without bearing, and then 

 be worthless ; but by taking a cut- 

 ting of healthy yet firm young growth 

 from a tree that bears good fruit, 

 it can be attached to the seedling 

 by inserting one end in a bottle 

 of water, slicing and splicing the top 

 as previously advised, and as shown 

 in Fig. 10. The water supports the 

 cutting till it is united with the 

 plant, then this is cut down to the point of union, and 

 the end of the cutting trimmed off close to the stem, 

 the fruitless or worthless tree being made fruitful 

 by the process. Vines can be successfully " worked" 



FIG. 10. BOTTLE 

 GRAFTING. 



