128 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Grafting by approach is also used to fill up vacancies in graper- 

 ies and fruit houses, to restore main branches, or increase the size 

 of the fruit. When the graft has taken hold, cutting it from ita 

 parent stem is an important matter. It must not be done too 

 hurriedly, but gradually, making a small incision at first, and 

 increasing it from time to time, until the final separation is made. 

 This may require several weeks. As soon as this is done. the 

 wound is cut smooth and covered with grafting wax. 



Bottle Grafting. — This is only another method of grafting by 

 approach. The lower end of the scion is buried in moist soil, or 

 is inserted in a bottle of water, to keep it in good condition until 

 the cut surfaces are united. In all other particulars it is identical 

 in principle with inarching. 



Cleft Grafting. — This system was practised at a very early 

 date, and is a method much in use now, to top-graft old trees in 

 orchards, or to renew individual trees, as well as young stocks 

 that have become too large to bud, and in order to bring them into 

 bearing more quickly. This was probably one of the first kinds of 

 grafting that the Pilgrims used in the new world, and for a long 

 time was practised the most of any kind. But, compared with 

 other methods, it is rather crude, as there is a large amount of cut 

 surface to be healed over by the new growth, which often takes a 

 long time. In cleft grafting the stock is cut off with a saw, at 

 a point at which to insert the scion. This surface is smoothed off 

 with a sharp pruning knife. Then with a knife, a grafting iron, 

 ®r thin chisel, split the stock through the centre, being careful to 

 divide the bark at the same time so as to leave the edges smooth. 

 The cleft is kept open by means, of a wedge. The scions are then 

 cut in the shape of a wedge, and fitted into the cleft (one on each 

 side if the stock is large) taking care that the two cambium-layers 

 meet on the edge near the bark. If the stock has very thick bark 

 slightly incline the lower end of the scions inward to the cleft to 

 make sure that some part of their cambiums may come in contact 

 with the cambium of the stock. In large stocks it is not necessary 

 to bind the graft before waxing ; but in smaller ones it brings the 

 parts into closer union and holds them there. When the stocks 

 are small it is not necessary to put in two scions, or to split the 

 stock entirely across, but only part way, holding the cleft open 

 with a knife while inserting the scion. This is a much better way 

 when it can be done, as there is less cut surface to be covered. 



