AMERICAN HOME GARDEN. 231 



a. The stock cleft, and ready for the graft. 



6. The graft wedge prepared for insertion. 



c. The graft set, and ready for binding and covering. 



<?. The graft set, and covered with rag and composition. 



e. The graft set, and covered with grafting mortar. 



*>J 



In cleft grafting on stocks of small or medium size, the 

 depth of the split will unavoidably vary, as they may prove 

 of different strength and flexibility, some opening almost as 

 freely as lea'ther, and others stiffly and with difficulty, the split 

 extending far down the stock ; in large trees or limbs this last 

 is still more troublesome. 



To effect grafting by this mode rightly, let your stock be 

 cut down to the desired point, in general as near the ground 

 as convenient, with a slight slope backward from the side on 

 which you intend to set the graft, where a portion about the 

 width of the graft is cut level (Fig. 1.13 a, b). Split the stock 

 by placing your knife across the centre of this level spot, not 

 perfectly square, but with the point bearing downward, so that 

 as you press it the bark will be first cut a little ahead of the 

 splitting, making also the split upon the outer side a little 

 deeper than on the inner. 



Take your graft, a piece not more than five inches long, and 

 holding it in your left hand as you would hold a pencil to 

 sharpen it, with your knife firmly grasped, place the butt be- 

 tween the blade and your right thumb, and with a steady draw- 

 ing motion cut the one side of a wedge from an inch -to two 

 inches long ; then, turning the graft, cut the other side in the 

 same manner, being careful that the cut is perfectly free from 

 raggedness or twist, that the inner edge is a little thinner than 

 the outer, and that the length of your wedge is proportioned 

 to the depth, to which, when inserted, it will open the cleft, so 

 that they will as nearly as possible fit throughout (Fig. 113 b). 

 Having your stock and graft ready, put the point of your split- 

 ting knife into the crown of the cleft just at the pith, and 

 strain it gently open while you adjust the outer edge of the 

 graft-wedge to the bark of the stock, allowing the cleft to close 

 upon it when in position. It is then ready for wrapping, 

 Fig. 113 c. 



