GRAFTING, BUDDING, AND STOCKS. 



103 



anything better than clay. In the case of working trees 

 standard high, however, there is some advantage in using 

 wax, as it is less likely to be loosened by motion. It may 

 be purchased, or made as described on page 69. 



The time for doing the work is usually March and 

 April, depending upon the season. There are several 

 different kinds of grafting employed, but the one generally 

 adopted for young fruit 

 trees is that of tongue- 

 grafting. The scion is 

 first selected and trim- 

 med to a length of 

 from four to five inches, 

 and always cut close 

 behind a bud, as in Fig. 

 27. A clean sloping 

 cut is then made at 

 the base. The next 

 operation is to cut the 

 tongue. Then select a 

 clear place on the 

 stock, and make a clean 

 upward cut, as nearly 

 as possible corres- 

 ponding in size and 



shape to the cut in the scion. Then from near the top 

 make a downward cutting, forming a tongue on the stock. 

 The next operation is to place the two together, allowing 

 the tongues to pass each other, and press the scion down 

 to the stock, taking care that the two barks unite on one 

 side ; then with a piece of bass matting wind firmly 

 round the stock below the graft, and proceed to wind 

 upwards to the top, and finish by passing the end twice 



FIG. 27. TONGUE GRAFTING. 



