CHAPTER Xiy. 



GRAFTING. 



^RAFTING is distinguished from budding by being performed 

 at a season of the year, generally in the spring, when vegeta- 

 tion is dormant— at least when the plant operated upon is not 

 in full leaf ; but there are many exceptions to such a definition, 

 and it might be better to include the two subjects of budding and 

 grafting under the general head of graftage, as they are closely 

 related. It is the object of this chapter to discuss some of the 

 methods of grafting as used in the propagation of fruits. 



liiiuits of Gratting.— It is quite common to hear very sur- 

 prising stories about grafting. Quite lately a prominent grape 

 grower referred to his efforts to graft the red currant on the red 

 maple tree. Even Pliny says : "Some apples are so red that they 

 resemble blood, which is caused by their being grafted on a mul- 

 berry stock." But grafting or budding is never successful unless 

 the graft and stock are nearly allied, and the closer the relation- 

 ship between them the more certain the success. Snidley says : 

 ''Varieties of the same species unite most freely ; then species of the 

 same genus, then genera of the same natural order, beyond which 

 the power does not extend." For instance: pears work freely on 

 pears ; very well on quinces and mountain ash ; less successfully 

 on apples or thorns, and not at all upon plums and cherries ; while 

 the lilac will take on the ash, because of the near relationship be- 

 tween the two. But there are many exceptions to any rule that 

 could be laid down concerning this matter. Some plants are in- 

 creased most readily by budding, while others graft more easily 

 than they are budded. The stone fruits are very easily budded, 

 but grafting them is a much more uncertain operation. 



Stock is the term used to indicate the plant grafted upon, 

 whether large or small. 



Scion is the term used to express the part inserted, of what- 

 ever size or form it may consist. These should be of the new, well 

 ripened growth of the season. If scions are to be used in the 

 spring they should always be cut late in the fall, as they are liable 

 to be injured by the winter. However, spring cut scions may 

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