GRAFTING. 213 



acclimatised ; (2) to ensure nrly fruiting, the age both of the stock . 

 and of the individual supplying the scion having each its due in- 

 fluence ; (3) to strengthen a weak variety or species by working it 

 on a vigorous stock ; (4) to perpetuate varieties of species that can- 

 not be propagated either by cuttings or by layering ; (5) to pro- 

 duce pleasing ocular effects. 



Theoretically speaking the best time for grafting is just as the 

 season of vegetation is about to begin : this, firstly, because the 

 wood and bark of both stock and scion then contain the maximum 

 quantity of reserve material ; secondly, because the sap being then 

 " down ", the scion is more resisting than during the full activity 

 of vegetation ; and, thirdly and lastly, because, as both stock and 

 graft become active immediately after the operation, there is no 

 intervening period during wdrich the cambium cells on the section 

 may from any cause become inert or at least lose part of their 

 activity. Where there is a true spring, this theoretically best time 

 can be realised. But where the season of vegetation is, as is many 

 parts of India, immediately preceded by hot dry weather that must 

 exercise an injurious influence, the operation must be put off to 

 August or September, when the sap is full of formative material, 

 vegetation still active enough to produce the necessary amalgama- 

 tion of the stock and graft, and the air moist and generally warm. 

 This latter time is still more favourable, if the winter in the locality 

 is mild. In the hot weather the vegetation of the plants to be used 

 as stocks and to supply the scions should be forced by judicious 

 watering. Exceptionally, grafting, particularly budding, may be 

 performed earlier in the rains. 



On the way in which the scion is w r orked on the stock depends 

 the method of grafting. Hence there are numerous methods, but 

 the following are those which are most generally employed : (a) 

 Splice Grafting (b) Tongue or Whip Grafting, (c) Crown Grafting, 

 (d) Cleft Grafting, (e) Saddle Grafting, (f) Budding and (g) Inar- 

 ching or Grafting by Approach. In the first five and the seventh 

 methods the scion almost invariably consists of one year old wood, 

 while in budding, the bud used may be taken off any well-formed 

 shoot of the preceding or current season. 



A. Splice Grafting. 



This is a very simple method. It is very suitable for delicate 

 plants, and when properly done, seldom fails. The wood of the 

 scion and the stock, where they are to be united, should be of 

 exactly the same girth and shape, so that the cambiums of both 

 may be in complete contact all round. Figure 57 at once explains 



