24 THE BOOK OF ROSES. 



leave two eyes on the scion, some only one, 

 which is preferable when a single graft is to be 

 made on the stock. The scion being prepared, 

 the stock is cleft through the centre to the depth 

 of half a diameter, and the pointed ends of the 

 scion introduced ; taking care that its bark 

 should be exactly adapted to that of the stock. 



French gardeners prefer a solitary graft, made 

 by a chorded slit, on one side the stock, so as 

 not to injure the wood ; into which the diamond 

 pointed end of the scion or slip is carefully 

 introduced, so that viewed from beneath, it is 

 not distinguishable from a natural shoot. 



The operation completed, the graft should 

 be rendered solid, and kept together by an 

 application of the cement known by the name 

 of grafting wax, composed of the following 

 materials : 



Burgundy pitch . . 1 oz. 



Black pitch .... 4 



Resinous pitch 4 ,, 



Yellow wax . 4 ,, 



Tallow 2 



Mastic 1 ,, 



Salt of nitre . . . . 1J 



These materials, melted together over a slow 

 fire in an earthen pot, may be applied warm, 

 with the help of pincers and a wooden spoon. 

 The wax must not, however, exceed such a 



