BUDDING AND GRAFTING. 131 



All methods of grafting can be used in root grafting ; whip, 

 splice, side, cleft, or veneer. Always cut the roots as they grow 

 from the stem, keeping the neck up. Plants that grow from root 

 gi'afts are mimerous. The poeony, bignonia, wistaria, rose, 

 hydrangea, clematis, chestnut, plum, pear, apple, dahlia, magnolia, 

 and many others can be root grafted. Sometimes when we receive 

 a new plant and can find no stock to work it on, I cut off a few of 

 the roots and graft them with their own branches. I tried to 

 propagate Ccesaljymia Japonica for two years from cuttings, but 

 did not succeed. Last fall I dug up the plant, selected some of 

 its best roots, and veneer grafted some of the best shoots upon 

 them ; now I have several plants. Hydrangea vestita, a hard 

 plant to grow from cuttings, does well on the roots of H. panicu- 

 lata. Combretum purpureum, a rare stove climber, can be grafted 

 on its own roots. Euptelea polyandra^ a scarce Magnoliaceous 

 plant, and many others, can be woi'ked successfully in the same 

 way. When I speak of root grafting, I mean pieces of 

 detached roots — not seedling plants, cut down and grafted on the 

 crown. For many plants, grafting on the crown of the root will 

 be better than on the stem, on account of the softness of the 

 tissue beneath the ground surface. This is a favorite way with 

 roses, so as not to have them sucker from the roots. 



Veneer Grafting. — This is one of the best methods of propagat- 

 ing hard wooded plants under glass, and can be practised from 

 November to April, and from August to October. In this mode 

 of grafting the plants should be established in pots for the 

 convenience of handling, as well as for the success of the 

 operation. Seedling plants are the best, but many varieties can 

 be grown from cuttings or layers. Pot the plants in early spring, 

 and plunge them in fi-ames or in a sheltered position, giving them 

 attention, as to watering and pruning, during the summer or until 

 wanted for use. In grafting, select a smooth place on the stock, 

 and with a sharp knife make a slight cross cut downwards in the 

 stock, cutting through the bark and slightly into the wood. Then 

 insert the blade two or more inches above, cutting off a thin slice 

 of the bark down to the cross-cut. A corresponding slice is taken 

 off the scion. They are then fitted together so that the two cam- 

 biums meet, then tied firmly and placed inside of the greenhouse 

 in close frames, and slightly sprinkled overhead when necessary. 

 Keep the plants close for the first few days and syringe when 



