GRAFTA GE. 



89 



wax should be applied in essentially the same manner as for 

 cleft-grafting. (See Fig. 80. ) This is sometimes called crown- 

 grafting, and is useful under certain condi- 

 tions. 



A special form of bark-grafting is some- 

 times employed for covering girdles about 

 the base of an old tree, made by mice, 

 gophers or rabbits. The edges of the bark 

 are trimmed, and cions are cut a couple 

 inches longer than the width of the girdle. 

 These are sharpened at both ends. One 

 end is inserted under the bark below the 

 girdle and tne other above it. The cions 

 are placed close together entirely around 

 the tree. This operation is said to be neces- 

 sary to keep up the connection between the 

 root and the top, but this is in most cases 

 an error. A good dressing of cow-dung, 

 wax or clay, held on with stout bandages, is 

 much better than the grafting. This method 

 of grafting is sometimes, but erroneously, 

 called inarching. A complete girdle made 

 during the spring o r early summer will 

 usually heal over readily if it is well band- 

 aged ; and in some cases even the bandage 

 is not necessary. 



HERBACEOUS-GRAFTING. In the preceding pages, the discus 

 sions have had to do with cions which are dormant or at least 

 well-hardened, and with stocks which contain more or less hard 

 woody substance. But herbaceous shoots can be grafted with 

 ease. All such plants as geraniums, begonias, coleuses and 

 chrysanthemums can be made to bear two or more varieties 

 upon the same individual. Almost any style of grafting can be 

 employed, but the veneer, cleft and saddle-grafts are preferred. 

 Shoots should be chosen for stocks which are rather firm, or in 

 the condition for making good cuttings. The cions should be in 

 a similar condition, and they may be taken from the tips of 



Fig. 85. Peony root- 

 graft. 



