OF FRUIT TREES: 



37 



it prove too hard, it may be softened with a little 

 hog's lard or tallow. This may be applied with a 

 brush while warm, but not too hot. A common 

 sod, applied with the grass side out, is often em- 

 ployed, and is found to answer every purpose. There 

 are several different methods of performing the 

 operation of grafting, in all which, it should be a 

 general rule to adjust the inner bark of the stock 

 and of the scion in close contact, and to confine them 

 precisely in that situation. If this be accurately 

 effected, all species of grafting will prove successful. 

 In that method which is usually called whip-graft- 

 ing,or tongue-grafting, the top of the stock and the 

 extremity of the graft should be nearly of equal di- 

 ameter. They are both to be sloped of a full inch 

 or more, and then tied closely together. This me- 

 thod may be much improved, by performing what 

 gardeners call tongueing or lipping; that is, by mak- 

 ing an incision in the bare part of the stock, down- 

 wards, and a corresponding slit in the scion, upwards; 

 after which they are to be carefully joined together, 

 so that the barks of both may meet in every part, 

 when a bandage of bass wood is to be tied round 

 the scion, to prevent it from being displaced; and 

 the whole is to be covered over with the composi- 

 tion. When the stocks to be grafted upon are from 

 one to two or more inches in diameter, as branches 

 of trees, cleft-grafting is generally employed. The 

 head of the stock or branch being carefully cut off 

 in a sloping direction, a perpendicular cleft or slit is 

 to be made, about two inches deep, with a knife or 

 chisel, towards the back of the slope, into which a 

 wedge is to be driven, in order to keep it open for 

 the admission of the scion. The latter must now 

 be cut in a perpendicular direction, and in the form 

 of a wedge, so as to fit the incision in the stock. As 

 soon as it is prepared, it should be placed in the 

 cleft in such manner that the inner bark of both the 

 stock and scion mar meet exactly together. It ii 



