DIFFERENT METHODS OF GRAFTING. 269 



through horizontally. A flat piece of smooth hard wood 



or ivory is then slipped between the bark and 



the wood, so as, in fact, to make a small cleft 



or opening for the insertion of the graft. 



The latter, being properly thinned, is slipped 



into this cleft, and perhaps two or three other 



grafts are placed round the same limb, in 



clefts made in the same manner between the 



bark and the wood. A smooth cord is then 



passed round the stock, and the exposed parts 



are covered with clay. 



Saddle-grafting is so called, because the 

 stock is cut into the form of a wedge, and the graft is 

 cut in the reverse form so as to fit over it like a saddle. 

 This is generally a very successful mode of grafting, if 

 carefully performed. 



There are other operations, called inarching 

 and budding, but these we cannot dwell on. V, 

 The former is a means of grafting, by ap- 

 proach, the branches of different trees which 

 happen to grow near each other ; the latter is 

 the transferring of buds, with a small portion 

 of the surrounding bark, from one tree to 

 another. 



Grafting-clay is prepared of three parts blue or yellow 

 clay or brick earth, one part fresh horse-dung free from 

 litter, and a small portion of soft cut hay or hemp. 

 These are mixed together with a small quantity of 

 water, and beaten until the mass is firm and yet flexi- 

 ble. Grafting-wax, which is a mixture of pitch, rosin, 

 bees'-wax, and turpentine, is not so good as clay for 

 the purpose. 



To return to the cultivation of the apple-tree. Graft- 

 ing is performed at two years old ; but it will be five or 

 six years longer, before the trees will come to their full 

 bearing. Yet the trees, if well managed, will yield 

 much fruit when they are young. Supposing them to 

 remain in the nursery ground until their branches begin 



