THE SCHOOL GARDEN 



289 





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portance of grafting. There are many different forms of 

 grafting. Several of the more common methods are given. 

 ROOT GRAFTING: This consists of growing choice scion 

 stems or twigs upon hardy 

 roots. The stocks are 

 usually grown from seeds, 

 and may be those raised 

 in the school nursery or 

 may be bought at slight 

 expense. The scions are 

 cut in the dormant state in 

 midwinter, and kept in 

 sand in a cool and moist 

 place till grafting time, 

 usually in March or 

 April. Let the children 

 bring twigs from choice 

 kinds of apples. Cut 

 pieces several inches in 

 length with three or four 

 buds. When ready to 

 graft, clean the scions and 

 stock. Cut pieces of root 

 six or eight inches long, 

 and about a quarter of an 

 inch thick. The stock of 

 the apple must be about two years old. The twigs of the scion 

 should be from well-seasoned wood of the last season's growth. 

 With a sharp knife cut the top of the root and the lower end 

 of the scion at the same slant. Select stocks and scions of the 

 same diameter if possible. Cut out a thin wedge from each 



FIG. 104. Grafting Methods. 



A. Tongue-grafting. 



1. Stock and scion separate. 



2. United. 



3. Bound with grafting-cloth. 



B. Plain whip-grafting. 



C. Saddle-grafting. 



