Root-grafting. 



181 



tne leaves expanding above. In Fig. 238 the work has been care- 

 lessly done, the earth being closed around the top, but left with a 

 cavity below. Grafts set in this way rarely grow. 



Fig. 237. Root-graft, set out well, -with 

 earth. compaElly pressed against its 

 roots. 



Fig. 238. Root-graft, badly set out, or 

 'with a cavity below- 



Fig. 239 represents the usual form of the dibble, and Fig. 240 the 

 appearance of the root-graft when ready to be set out. 



Fig. 239. 



Fig. 240. 



The most favorable soils are rich, well pulverized, and rather 

 strong loams. If light or gravelly, there is more danger from mid- 

 summer droughts, which often prove quite destructive. Grafting the 

 whole root entire will much lessen the difficulty. 



The chief care afterwards is to keep the ground constantly culti- 

 vated, and perfectly clean, which will increase the growth during 

 summer, and exclude mice in winter ; the trees are to be trained up 

 to one leading stem, not trimming so closely as to make them 



