CALLUSING 89 



cion is then prepared in the same manner as the stock. 

 This may be from four to six inches long and should 

 contain at least two good buds. The cion is cut off about 

 one-quarter inch above the last bud and should slope 

 slightly away from it. 



The two are then joined together, care being taken that 

 the bark of the cion and that of the stock be placed in close 

 contact on one side. It will seldom be possible to unite 

 the cambium layers on both sides because of the variation 

 in the diameters of the two pieces. If one side fits per- 

 fectly the resulting union will be just as satisfactory. If 

 the sloping cuts are not perfectly straight or if the tongue 

 is not started above the center of the cut, a close, tight 

 fit can not be had. The grafts are then wrapped with a soft 

 cotton string which has been dipped in melted grafting 

 wax. The wrapping should hold the union snugly in place 

 but should not cover all the surface. One-eighth of an inch 

 should be left between each wrap so the callus will have a 

 better chance to form. Raffia should not be used on whip 

 grafts as it does not decay readily and may cut into the 

 tree by the expanding growth. Where many seedlings 

 are grafted a machine for doing the wrapping can be had. 

 Figs. 40 and 41. 



Callusing. As fast as the grafts are completed, they 

 are tied in bundles of fifty or one hundred each, properly 

 labelled and stored away in the callusing bed where they 

 remain until planting time in the spring. The labels must 

 be of some material that water or soil will not affect, as much 

 mixing of varieties in the nursery is due to carelessness in 

 labelling. The callusing bed should be placed where the 



