PEAR GROWING IN CALIFORNIA. 331 



end of the stub is cut at .-in jm.irlc, leaving a strip of bark on one 

 side with a good bud about the point where the sloping cut begins. 

 This wedge-shaped piece is placed in one end of the split, in the 

 stub, which is held open by means of a wedge, so that the cambium 

 or inner bark of the scion crosses the cambium or inner bark of the stub. 

 The place where the two cross forms a point of contact where union 

 between the cambium or growing layer of scion and stock begins. The 

 grafts are usually sloped outward slightly so that the contact will be 

 sure, although an inward slope will serve the purpose equally as well. 

 One such scion is placed in the end of each split of a large stub, or four 

 scions in all. In the case of smaller branches only one or two scions 

 may be necessary. It must be borne in mind that the healing of the 

 stub is dependent upon the supply of plant food made available by 

 the leaves of the graft, and there must be sufficient grafts to supply 

 an abundance of sap so that the entire circumference of the stub may 

 heal. Too frequently one or two scions are used where the case would 

 require four or more, and while the grafts live, drying out and decay 

 of the portions of the stub remote from the grafts takes place, and 

 eventually the tree is ruined. 



WAXING. 



Grafting wax* is used to cover the outer end of the scion unless it 

 terminates in a bud. Also the end of the stub including the split 

 portions of the side throughout their entire length are covered with a 

 heavy coating of wax, so that the air is excluded from the cracks con- 

 taining the scions. This is the most important operation in connection 

 with grafting older trees and waxing should be done with the greatest 

 of care. Sometimes linen cloth is dipped in melted grafting wax, and 

 wound snugly about the end of the stub. The novice can usually get 

 better results by using the cloth than without. 



The principle of all grafting is the same. A modification of the 

 method described differs from it in that the end of the stub left after 

 the removal of a branch is not split but a V-shaped piece of a suitable 

 size is sawed from the place where the scion is to be inserted and the 

 cut carefully smoothed with a sharp knife. The end of the scion is 

 trimmed in the same shape and made to fit snugly in the cut portion of 

 the stub. Care is again necessary to have the cambium layers come in 

 contact with each other. This method is more generally used by 

 expert grafters than the cleft method. The beginner will perhaps 

 have better results with the latter. Waxing is just as important with 

 one method as the other. 



OTHER METHODS. 



While the two methods described are generally used there are other 

 ways of inserting scions or buds so that they will grow successfully. 

 Budding, as described in chapter on "Trees, Stocks and Propagation," 

 may be done in the case of older trees providing younger branches are 

 selected for the insertion of the buds. Bark grafting, which is similar 

 to budding except that short scions instead of buds are used, is some- 

 times practiced. 



*The common formula is 4 Ibs. resin, 2 Ibs. beeswax, 1 Ib. mutton tallow. The wax 

 is prepared by heating these ingredients and is applied usually by means of a brush; 

 thus it must be kept liquid by placing on a small orchard heater or oil stove. 

 837406 113 



