268 SKETCHES OP EURAL AFFAIRS. 



stocks : they thus get increased strength, without de- 

 terioration of flavour. If the young scion, on the con- 

 trary, be over luxurious in its growth, and therefore 

 likely to be deficient in bearing, it receives a seasonable 

 check by being grafted to a slow growing stock. 



There are several common methods of grafting, such 

 as whip, or tongue-grafting, cleft-grafting, crovm-graft- 

 ing, and saddle-grafting ; and there are very many little 

 differences in the way of performing the operation. 

 Whip-grafting is done as follows : The stock is cut 

 through in a sloping direction, leaving a clean smooth 

 surface exposed. The young scion is also cut in the 

 same slanting manner, so as to fit the stock and be the 

 exact counterpart of it. A thin wedge-shaped tongue 

 is made very near the upper part of the slope 

 of the scion, and a nick is made in the stock 

 for this tongue to fit into. The scion is then 

 accurately fitted to the stock, and secured to 

 it with strips of matting, being afterwards fur- 

 ther protected by grafting clay, or some other 

 composition, pressed round the stem, which 

 effectually keeps out the air, and also preserves 

 the graft firm in its place until the union of 

 scion and stock be complete. 



In cleft-grafting the stock is cut or sawn 

 across in a horizontal instead of a sloping manner, and 

 in the surface thus exposed, a cleft is made with 

 a strong knife and hammer, or sometimes even 

 with a bill-hook. The graft is then cut into 

 a sort of blade two inches long, and the split 

 in the stock being kept open with a chisel, 

 the graft is placed in it, and (the chisel being 

 removed) the split closes firmly on it, and 

 keeps it in its place. It is, however, secured 

 with matting and with clay, as in the former 

 case. 



Crown-grafting is performed on large limbs with 

 thick bark, or on large stems. The limb or stem is sawed 



