290 



PEAR GROWING IN CALIFORNIA. 



ROOT GRAFTS. 



Propagation by root grafts requires the seedling trees grown exactly 

 as those for budding. The seedlings must be removed from the ground 

 in the fall, and placed where drying out will not take place during the 

 winter season. Grafting wood for the tops should be cut in the fall 

 also, and preserved in a like manner. A common method is to keep 

 both scions and seedlings in a damp cellar, moist sand being one of the 

 best protective materials. Just as great- care should be exercised in 

 the selection of the grafts or scions, as in the case of the bud-wood. 



The work of root-grafting may be done any time during the dormant 

 season of the trees, the only precaution necessary being that of keeping 

 them from drying out. The method generally used is known as whip- 

 grafting, and consists in cutting the seedling just below the crown or 

 ground line, as indicated in Fig. 104, and fitting the scion, similarly 

 cut, into it so that the cambium layer of the scion on one side of the 

 completed graft matches as closely as possible that of the seedling. 



FIG. 104. Operation of whip grafting. 

 (Redrawn, by O. W. Newman, from 

 Downing's "Fruits and Fruit Trees of 

 America.") 



These scions may vary somewhat, but the length generally recommended 

 is about six inches. The whole root system of the seedling tree should 

 be used, with the exception of injured roots, which should be removed. 

 Piece root-grafting, as frequently practiced with the apple, is not 

 recommended for the pear. 



After fitting the scion and rootstock together they should be 

 held securely in place by cord, wax, wax paper or a com- 

 bination of these. It must be remembered that any material 

 used for tying can not well be removed after grafts are planted, so it is 

 necessary to use something that will rot quickly and thus eliminate the 



