130 PRACTICAL PLANT PROPAGATION 



Fig. 76. Seedling Roses. The plants have been removed from the pots 

 and wrapped in burlap (See page 129) 



pot, when a little fresh soil is held in place around the root by a 

 piece of cloth about 5 inches square (fig. 76). The ball containing 

 the roots of the seedling is secured to the stock, the stem of the 

 seedling being placed close to it, so that the inarch may be easily 

 accomplished. (Fig. 77.) The union is a rapid one and becomes 

 perfect some time before the cotyledons decay."* 



GRAFTING WAX 



A wax composed of resin and beeswax is most successful in this 

 country. In certain European work, waxes containing some 

 alcohol are used, but they are apt to melt in our hot Summers. A 

 good wax is made of four parts (by weight) of resin, two parts of 

 beeswax and one part of beef tallow. The beeswax and resin are 

 broken up and the whole mixture melted when it is poured into a 

 pail of cold water. When hard enough to handle it should be 

 worked like molasses candy, being pulled until it has a grain and 

 becomes a creamy light brown. When applying it, grease the 

 hands well. The resin makes the wax hard, the beeswax gives it 

 oiliness and the tallow keeps it soft. 



* Author's Note. As above described, a small piece of bark is removed from both 

 stock and cion before tying the seedling to the stock. 



