METHODS OF GRAFTING 247 



stock. Tying and waxing finish the work in the open 

 air; tying alone, indoors. Heading back the stock aids 

 union, since it throws more plant food into the cion. 



In a modification of the above plan, used in root-graft- 

 ing grapes and some other plants, the stock instead of the 

 cion is cut wedge shape and is thrust into an oblique cut 

 made upward in the cion.. 



317. Crown grafting or inlaying (Fig. 179) is a form of 

 grafting in which a small sliver of wood is cut out of 

 the stock and a cion similarly cut is fitted in its place. 

 It has special value for grafting grapes and other "curly," 

 grained woods. Since the necessary tying is slow, cleft 

 grafting (312) is better for straight-grained stocks. 

 Another objection to inlaying is that the growing cions 

 must be tied to prevent being broken off by wind. When 

 this care is taken the method results in good unions and 

 excellent growth. 



In the most popular form the stock, being cut off 

 square as in cleft grafting, has one or more V-shaped 

 grooves, large above and tapering below, and made down- 

 ward, either with a knife or an inlaying tool (Fig. 179, G). 

 In these grooves the cions cut to fit are placed and tied, 

 and, if in the open air, are waxed. The tier should be 

 weak and perishable, so it will decay and break before 

 danger of strangling the cion might, occur. Raffia, bast 

 and No. 18 or No. 20 knitting cotton are all good. 

 Winding should be very tight. 



318. Modified crown grafting. Cions bearing two buds are cut 

 beginning just below the lower bud and on the opposite side. The 

 stock is prepared as for splice grafting, the cion being inserted 

 under the bark and at the tip of the stock. The union is said to 

 form very rapidly and without enlargement. 



319. Notch grafting (Fig. 179D) is a modification of in- 

 laying, in which the stock, though cut off as in cleft graft- 

 ing, is not split, and in which the wood may or may not 

 be cut to receive the cion. It is best used in spring when 

 the bark separates readily from the wood. In one case a 

 saw with wide-set teeth is used obliquely downward 

 to make one or more slots in the stock, and cions cut on 



