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THE NURSERY-BOOK. 



branch. It is well to split all stubs on such branches horizon- 

 tally, that one cion may not stand directly under another. 



Top-grafting is performed in spring. The best time is when 

 the leaves are pushing out, as wounds made then heal quickly 

 and cions are most apt to live. But when a large amount of 

 grafting must be done, it is necessary to begin a month or even 



Fig. 81. Top-grafted old tree. 



two before the leaves start. On the other hand, the operation 

 can be extended until a month or more after the leaves are full- 

 grown, but such late cions make a short growth, which is likely to 

 perish the following winter. Professional grafters usually divide 

 their men into three gangs, one to do the cutting of the stubs, 

 one to set the cions, and one to apply the wax. The cions are 

 all whittled before the grafter enters the tree. They are then 



