THE PARLOR GARDENER. 81 



arated and fall, without the leaf being detached. 

 Now you have a cutting, the size and form of 

 which you must examine with care. This being 

 done, you must then, for the graft that is to oc- 

 cupy the vacancy just made by you, select a little 

 branch of myrtle-leaved orange, and the lower 

 end of this must be cut into such shape as to fit 

 very exactly into the place cut in the stock. As 

 the graft, if left there after being fitted, would 

 fall apart at the least shake, it requires to be 

 fastened in its place, until it shall have taken firm 

 hold and incorporated itself with the stock. This 

 is effected by putting a bandage on. But here a 

 difficulty presents itself, which has caused many 

 a failure, but may, however, easily be surmounted 

 by a little attention. If you do not draw the 

 bandage tight enough, it will not hold the two 

 surfaces in contact, and this would prevent the 

 success of the operation. If, on the other hand, 

 you draw it too tight, this will interfere with 

 the circulation of the sap ; your graft will be 

 strangled, as the gardeners say. Take care, then, 

 to adjust your bandage perfectly avoiding both 

 extremes; tight enough, but only just tight 

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