Propagation. 



35 



Fig. 35- 



Seftion of cleft- 

 grafting;. 



of the stock sloped off with a knife, and the whole read) for the 

 application of the wax. 



Whip-grafting is particularly applicable to small stocks, or where 

 the graft and stock are nearly of equal size ; and cleft-grafting to 

 stocks considerably larger than the scion. In all cases, where the 

 stock is in any degree larger, the graft must be placed towards one 

 side, so that the line between the bark and wood 

 may exactly coincide at one point at least in both, 

 as in the cross-section of cleft-grafting, Fig. 35. 

 A useful implement for the rapid and perfect 

 performance of cleft-grafting, is described in the 

 chapter on implements. 



There are other modifications of grafting which 

 are often useful. In saddle-grafting, the stock is 

 sloped off on each side, giving it the form of a wedge, Fig. 36, a; 

 the graft is split in the middle, and each side thinned away with the 

 knife, as in Fig. 36, b, until it will closely 

 fit when placed like a saddle upon it, Fig. 

 37. The most perfect way to fit the 

 graft, is to make a long sloping cut 

 from the outer edge or bark, by draw- 

 ing the blade from heel to point, till it 

 reaches the centre of the graft ; and then 

 another similar cut completes the acute 

 cavity for fitting the wedge of the stock. 

 A sharp, broad, and thin blade is needed 

 for this operation. A wax plaster, drawn 

 closely round the place of union, com- 

 pletes the work. When the stock and 

 graft are very nearly of equal size, this 

 is a very perfect mode of grafting, as 

 large corresponding surfaces are made to 

 fit, and the graft receives freely the as- 

 cending sap. 



In all these modes of grafting, whenever a wedge is made to enter 

 a cleft, it should be thickest on the side where the fit is made 

 between the two parts, so as to receive the full pressure of the cut 

 faces at that side, as shown in Fig. 35. 



A modification of saddle-grafting, very successful in its results, is 

 thus performed : Late in spring, after growth has commenced, the 

 scion, which is much smaller than the stock, is split up, nearer to one 

 side, more than half its length (Fig. 38). The stronger side is then 



Fig. 36. 



Fig. 37- 



Saddle-grafting. 



