64 PROPAGATION BY GRAFTING AND BUDDING. 



becoming properly ripened ; or, as some put it, its " low 

 maturative force." W. Newton, Esq., an eminent amateur 

 fruitist residing at Newark, after failing with this variety on 

 its own roots, grafted it on the Raisin de Calabre ; and in point 

 of colour, finish, and exquisite flavour, the produce of Vines so 

 treated was wellnigh perfect. I might quote dozens of well- 

 authenticated cases to prove that both stock and scion are 

 influenced very materially for better or for worse by grafting, 

 and carefully - conducted experiments and observations will 

 doubtless demonstrate this fact still more fully and satisfactorily 

 in the future. In 1721, Mr Fairchild made numerous experi- 

 ments in grafting (see 'Gardeners' Chronicle,' 1871, p. iioo) 

 to demonstrate the relative influence of the scion on the stock. 

 Amongst other things, he grafted the " Holm " or evergreen 

 Oak ( Quercus ilex) on the common Oak ( Q. robtir] as a stock, 

 the result being, that while the leaves of the deciduous stock 

 fell in the autumn as usual, those of the evergreen scion 

 remained just the same as if on their own roots. It is advis- 

 able that the vigour of the stock and scion be nearly equal, or 

 if there is any material difference, it is best that the graft or 

 scion be the most vigorous, just as is the case with the Apple 

 on the Paradise stock, the Cherry on the Mahaleb, or when 

 the Pear is worked on the Quince ; yet, at the same time, the 

 stock should be perfect of its kind, not weakly or diseased 

 in any way. The same precaution is necessary in selecting 

 scions, which should always be the cleanest and most perfect 

 growths on the parent tree; and if any difference as to earliness 

 or forwardness of growth exists, it is best that the stock be in 

 the most advanced stage. Grafts of Apples, Pears, and other 

 deciduous trees and shrubs, may be cut in the autumn or 

 during mild weather in winter, and kept in a fresh and dormant 

 state by covering them with a coat of moist sand, or they may 

 be buried in a north border until the stocks are ready for 

 working. In some cases, where it is necessary to transplant 

 stocks late in the winter or spring, they may be taken up and 

 grafted in the propagating house or shed, and immediately 

 planted out in the nursery quarters, or where they are to 

 remain. In the case of young trees or shrubs, where the size 

 of the stock and scion is generally equal, it is also advisable 

 to match the age or texture of the two surfaces to be joined 

 as nearly as possible, in order to secure an intimate union; but 

 this is not so essential as it at first sight- appears, because the 

 texture of the inner layers of bark, and the cellular partly 

 developed sap or "cambium," is pretty nearly the same in 

 all cases, and this fact renders grafting so easy in the case of 



