34 THE NUKSERY AND THE ORCHARD. 



the smaller limbs, making an effort to leave the tree in 

 a symmetrical shape. 



If the trees are well grown, and have tops made up 

 principally of a few large branches, they should first 

 have a portion of their tops cut away, which will induce 

 a vigorous growth of young shoots, as in fig. 29. These 



Fig. 29.— A new head grafted. 



will be in excellent condition for grafting when one or two 

 years old. The scions are inserted in the ends of the limbs 

 in the same manner as in cleft grafting underground. 

 They are then wrapped and waxed, and in a short time 

 begin to make a vigorous growth. Two scions should be 

 put in limbs three-fourths of an inch in diameter, and 

 if both grow, one should be cut away smoothly when a 

 few inches long. All sprouts that appear near the grow- 

 ing scion should be kept rubbed off. Long barren 

 branches can be supplied with limbs wherever desired 

 by the foregoing method of side cleft grafting. The 

 proper time for grafting above ground is when the buds 

 begin to swell. 



The scions may be cut from the trees at the time of 

 grafting, but success is more certain if they are retarded 

 in the manner described in the chapter on preserving 



