10 FRUIT TREES. 



to allow time for their wood to have become firm and 

 well constituted before the first frosts of winter. 



2nd. So arrange that the graft be in a less advanced 

 stage of vegetation than the stock ; otherwise, the 

 graft, instead of finding a sufficient quantity of sap to 

 develop its growth, will rapidly dry up. To prevent 

 this, the grafts must be severed from their parent stem 

 a month or two before grafting, and completely buried 

 in the earth at the foot of a northern wall. They will 

 retain their vitality in this situation, while their vege- 

 tation remains stationary, and that of the subject de- 

 velops itself. 



3rd. Perform the cutting operations very neatly, 

 that the bark be not torn, or frayed at its edges. 



4th. Place the graft upon the subject in such a 

 manner as to ensure the perfect contact of the edges of 

 the inner bark of the stock with the corresponding 

 edges of the inner bark of the graft. 



5th. Bind round the parts operated upon, and cover 

 over with grafting mastic. 



6th. Protect the grafts, during the first five days 

 after grafting, from the action of the atmosphere and 

 heat of the sun. A cone of white paper answers this 

 purpose perfectly (fig. 10). The cap, however, is liable 

 to harbour insects that eat the buds as soon as they 

 open. 



7th. Great care is requisite that the grafts, once 

 placed, be never afterwards disturbed. The least shock 

 is sufficient, when the graft has begun to grow to its 

 stem, to destroy the success of the entire operation. 

 The grafts most exposed to accidents are those placed 



