78 



GENERAL PEmCIPLES. 



the enlargement of tlie parts it encloses. We have tried 

 tow, paper, and other materials, but find this the best. 

 Having the scions, implements, and composition in readi- 

 ness, the work is performed as follows : 



WMj)- Grafting on the Root. — For this pni-pose, seed- 

 ling stocks are generally used, one or two years old, vary- 

 ing from one fourth to th^ree eighths of an inch in diameter. 

 The graft is always made at the collar, and, therefore, the 

 stems of the plants are cut off at that point ; the small 

 tap-roots and any cmnbrous fibres are removed, leaving 

 them about four inches in length (fig. 71) ; they ai-e then 

 washed clean, and are ready for the operation. The 

 grafter then makes a smooth, even, sloping cut, an inch 

 long, upwards on the collar of the root, 

 A / and in the centre of this cut, he makes 

 a slit or tongue, B^ downwards. Tlie scion, 

 which should be three or four inches long 

 (fig. 72), is cut on 

 the lower end with 

 a sloping cut down- 

 wards, and similar 

 in all respects to 

 that made on the 

 stock; a slit, or 

 tongue, is made in 

 it upwards, B^ cor- 

 responding, also, 

 with that on the 

 stock ; and they 

 are then neatly 

 fitted together, the 

 tongue of the one 

 within the other 

 (^, fig. 73), and the 

 inner barks of both placed in close and perfect contact, at 



C • 



11. 



Figs. 71 to 73, Root Grafting. 



Fis- 71. the root. Jl, the sloping cut. B. the tongue. 

 Fig. 72, the scion. .^, the sloping cut. B, tongue. C 

 bud at top. Fig. 73, the union of scion and stock. 



