AMERICAN HOME GARDEN. 239 



giving it the proper shape (Fig. 113 e, p. 230). Care is re- 

 quired in the binding to avoid drawing the bandage into a 

 string around the neck of the graft ; otherwise, when it swells, 

 the bandage will cut in, and soon the wind will snap it off. 

 At this point let the wrapping be free as possible, and in put- 

 ting on either the composition or mortar, be sure that no small 

 hole or fissure is left for water to settle into the cleft or other 

 opening in which the graft is inserted. 



GRAFTING COMPOSITION. 

 No. 1. 



Equal parts of rosin, beeswax, and tallow, melted together 

 and worked into toughness by kneading and pulling, as molas- 

 ses, when boiled down, is made into taffy. It may be kept in 

 water, and used without bandages. Being warmed in the hand 

 for use, it is made into small, thin sheets as wanted, and pressed 

 closely over the wounds and around the grafts, so as to exclude 

 air and water, a little grease being used to prevent its stick- 

 ing to the fingers. 



No. 2. 



Two parts rosin, one or one and a half part. beeswax, and 

 half or three fourths of a part tallow, melted together as No. 1, 

 and spread with a brush while warm on rag or cheap muslin, 

 which may be cut or torn into strips or patches as wanted for 

 use ; or the strips or patches may be soaked in the composi- 

 tion. Or the graft may be bound with dry rag, the loose end 

 being sealed down with a touch of the composition, and the 

 whole covered with a coat laid on warm with a brush, the com- 

 position being kept melted over a furnace or pot of embers. 



No. 3. 



Two parts pitch, two parts rosin, one part beeswax, one part 

 tallow, and one part turpentine, melted together and boiled for 

 half an hour. This is, on the whole, superior to the former, 

 and may be used as that, either spread on the rag before wrap- 

 ping, or laid on with a brush after the graft has been bound, 

 being kept melted for this purpose. 



