fi2 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1900. 



pinch the scion too hard on the one hand, or the scion to be too 

 loose on the other. Some gratters incline the scion slightly 

 inwards in the cleft. The same instructions are in order where 

 two, three, or four scions are used on the stock, and after the 

 scions are properly in place, the stock and scion should he 

 covered with wax prepared for this purpose. No bandaging is 

 necessary. All the cut or exposed surface should be covered, 

 and the whole made air tight. 



To perform these operations. It can be done with most any 

 old thing for a tool if one is expert and skilful. I have grafted 

 with great success with no other tools than an axe, pocket-knife, 

 and an old saw. But I prefer better tools, and this is the best 

 form of a grafting tool I know of. With a tine saw, a hammer, a 

 good sharp knife, you are provided with all the tools you need. 

 The grafting wax used is composed of beeswax, suet and resin. 

 There are many formulas for its manufacture, but it can be 

 bought now at our seed stores cheaper, and ofttimes better than 

 we can make it in small lots for our own use. It is quite an art 

 to use it and not get more wax on your person and clothes than 

 you do on the grafts. At one time you will want cold water to 

 keep the wax from being too soft, and at another warm water to 

 make it pliable enough to use. But, as with the subject of 

 budding, I must consider the question of time and pass to the 

 latter part of my subject. 



The influence of stock on scion and fruit depends largely 

 upon the laws of the affinities of species, which are almost 

 unknown. Most observations, hitherto made, have been in a 

 practical rather than purely scientific spirit. In my own ob- 

 servations the scion has a certain direct action on the stock. 

 One illustration of which is that in a lot of pear seedlings 

 budded with various pear buds, you can distinguish the different 

 varieties, say the Bartlett, Swan's Orange and others, by the 

 roots. 



Now, I also believe that there is a reflex action or influence of 

 the stock, on not only the scion, but to a limited extent on the 

 fruit. Starting with the proposition that action and reaction are 

 equal, the provable fact of the influence of the scion on stock, 



