Propagating Trees and Shrubs 23 



The grafting of conifers may be performed at one of wo 

 seasons : either early in spring or about the month of 

 August. Two-year-old stock are mostly to be preferred, 

 so that the stock and scion may be of as near a size as pos- 

 sible. Several methods of grafting are adopted, but that 

 generally practised is what is known as '" side grafting." 

 This consists in making a clean cut in the stem, downwards, 

 for about an inch in length. A transverse cut is made at 

 the termination of this first cut, whereby a piece of the 

 bark wood is removed from the side of the stock. The 

 scion is next prepared by being cut off square at the end, 

 and one side of the wood shaved off for about an equal 

 length to the cut on the stock. Place the scion in the 

 notch made on the stock, and be careful that the barks, on 

 one side at least, come neatly together, for on this hangs 

 the whole fate of successful grafting. The scion should, 

 indeed, be made to fit as nearly as possible and replace the 

 wedge cut from the stock. Tie firmly and carefully with 

 bast matting, and cover over with prepared clay or grafting 

 wax. Another method consists in making an incision 

 obliquely in the stock, the scion being so prepared that one 

 side of it forms a sharp edge, in order that it may be readily 

 inserted therein, the bark of the scion and stock coming 

 neatly together. Tie with matting as before directed, and 

 cover over with clay or grafting wax. Inarching, or grafting 

 by approach, consists in bringing the scion into union 

 with the stock without detaching it from its own stem, and 

 the separation is not made until the new connection has 

 been formed. 



Budding. This is usually performed in July, and in 

 the case of certain shrubs has been found useful. The bud 

 should, in addition to its strip of bark, have a portion of 

 the cambium attached, as unless this be present to unite 

 with the cambium of the stock the operation will fail. 



The bark of the stock is cut into a T shape, opened 

 with the end of the budding knife, and the bud slipped, 

 neatly in. Bast matting will serve for tying, until a junction 

 takes place, which is usually effected in five or six weeks. 



