148 THE TREE PROPAGATOR AND PLANTER. 



the seed out ; dry it, and sow it as above. Apple pips 

 can be had at cider pound-houses in any quantity. 



The grafting of the Apple is a very easy operation. 

 The grafts may or may not be cut from the tree a few 

 weeks beforehand ; some affirm that it is necessary to 

 insure success to cut them some weeks before they are 

 grafted, and to lay them in the ground. This may be 

 a good plan with some sorts that are apt to get too 

 forward, and with all sorts when the grafting has to 

 be done late, as the stock should be in advance of the 

 scion a little ; but generally Apple grafts will grow 

 well cut from the tree and grafted forthwith. Cut the 

 stock clean off 4 or 5 inches from the ground, and, 

 having the scions close at hand, slip off an inch of the 

 stock up the side as far as the cut at the top, and a 

 corresponding slip off the scion to match the stock 

 (see page 149). Make a tongue in the graft and 

 stock to hang the scion on by, and tie it on with 

 rofea firmly, and clay the union, or unite with stout 

 pug, putting on a little at a time, or use grafting- 

 wax. The wax is made of pitch one pound, 2 ounces 

 bees'-wax, and half a pound of mutton fat, melted. 

 Put all together in a pipkin and melt over a fire, 

 using it with a small painter's brush when half cold. 

 But the pug, well worked up with fresh cowdung, is a 

 good compost for covering the union. 



Some sorts of Apples will not answer for dwarfs, 

 and some will not do for standards. The " Cornish 

 Gillyflower," for instance, will not do well as a stand- 

 ard, nor the "White Juneating, "Manx Codlin," 

 "Norfolk Greening," and the "Foundling," as dwarfs. 

 Those sorts that bear early and freely, and grow 

 moderately or feebly, are best for dwarfs, and vice 

 versa for standards. Those intended for the latter 

 must be on good rich ground, so as to insure a fast 

 strong growth from the grafting, or else decrepit, 

 crooked stems will be the result. All spray up the 

 stems, to the height of six feet at the least, should be 

 removed as it comes, with a sharp knife, and the 

 leader maintained unchecked to that height, when the 



