GRAFTING 29 



the cleft-graft. The stock is cut off and split; and in one or 

 both sides a wedge-shaped cion is firmly inserted. Fig. 42 

 shows the cion; Fig. 43, the cions set in the stock; Fig. 44, 

 the stock waxed. It will be seen that the lower bud — that 

 lying in the wedge — is covered by the wax; but being nearest 

 the food supply and least exposed to weather, it is the most 

 likely to grow: it will push through the wax. 



74. Cleft-grafting is performed in spring, as growth 

 begins. The cions are cut previously, when perfectly dor- 

 mant, and from the the tree which it is desired to propagate. 

 The cions are kept in sand or moss in the cellar. Limbs of 

 various sizes may be cleft-grafted, — from one-half inch up 

 to four inches in diameter; but a diameter of one inch is the 

 most convenient size. All the leading or main branches of 

 a tree-top may be grafted. If the remaining parts of the 

 top are gradually cut away and the cions grow well, the 

 entire top will be changed over to the new variety. 



Review. — How do we determine how a plant, may be propagated? 

 Mention any plants that grow from cuttings. What are softwood 

 cuttings? Hardwood? Describe a geranium cutting. What is the proper 

 condition of wood for making a softwood cutting? How is it planted? 

 Where? In what kind of soil? Give directions for watering. How may 

 cutting-wood be secured? Describe a hardwood cutting. When is it 

 made? Name plants that can be propagated easily by means of hard- 

 wood cuttings. Describe a leaf-cutting. What is a cion? Stock? How 

 do we find out what stocks are congenial to the cion? Describe a cleft- 

 graft. When is cleft-grafting performed? Why do we graft ? 



Note. — The cutting-box may be set in the window. If the box 

 does not receive direct sunlight, it may be covered with a pane of 

 glass to prevent evaporation. Take care that the air is not kept too 

 close, else the damping-off fungi may attack the cuttings, and they 

 will rot at the surface of the ground. See that the pane is raised a 

 little at one end to afford ventilation; and if water collects in drops on 

 the under side of the glass, remove the pane for a time. 



Grafting-wax is made of beeswax, resin, and tallow. The hands 

 are greased, and the wax is then worked until it is soft enough to spread. 

 For the little grafting which any pupil would do, it is better to buy the 

 wax of a seedsman. However, grafting is hardly to be recommended 



