PROPAGATION BY GRAFTING. 37 



may flow downward uninterruptedly through the inner bark. 

 To effect these two requisites, it is nee<ttu\, first, that the 

 operation be performed with a sharp knife, that the vessels 

 and pores may be cut smoothly and evenly, and the two parts 

 be brought inlo immediate and even contact. Secondly,, that 

 the operation be so contrived that a permanent and considera- 

 ble pressure be applied to keep all parts of these cut faces 

 closely together. Thirdly, that the line of division between 

 the inner bark and the wood, should coincide or exactly cor- 

 respond in each ; for if the inner bark of the one sets wholly 

 on the wood of the other, the upward current through the 

 wood and back through the bark, is broken, and the graft 

 cannot flourish nor grow. And, fourthly, that the wounded 

 parts made by the operation, be effectually excluded from 

 the external air, chiefly to retain a due quantity of moisture 

 in the graft, but also to exclude the wet, until, by the growth 

 of the graft, the union is effected. 



1. The first requisite is best attained by keeping a keen, 

 flat bladed-knife to cut the faces, and another knife for other 

 purposes. 



2. The second requires that the jaws of the stock in cleft- 

 grafting, press with some force, but not too much against, 

 the wedge-shaped sides of the graft. A stock one-third of 

 an inch in diameter will sometimes do this sufficiently ; but 

 three-quarters of an inch is a more convenient size. In 

 whip-grafting, the tongue and slit should be firmly crowded 

 or bound together. 



3. The third requisite is attained by close examination 

 with the eye. 



4. The fourth is accomplished by plasters of grafting-wax 

 or by the application of grafting-clay. Grafting-wax may 

 be made by melting together rosin, tallow, and beeswax, in 

 such proportions as to admit of being easily applied when 

 softened by warmth, but not liable to melt and run in the 

 sun's rays. An excellent grafting-wax is made of 3 parts 

 of rosin, 3 of beeswax, and 2 of tallow. A cheaper composi- 

 tion, but more liable to adhere to the hands, is made of 4 

 parts of rosin, 2 of tallow, and 1 of beeswax. But one 

 of the best and cheapest consists of 1 pint of linseed oil, 1 

 pound of rosin, and 6 pounds of beeswax. These ingredi- 

 ents, after being melted and mixed together, may be ap- 



