MODES OF GRAFTING. 



81 



when brought together, form a speedy and uniform union. 

 In the case of the Rose, the stock should be pruned down, 

 about eight days after the bud is inserted, to the shoot above 

 it on the opposite side of the stock, 

 which shoot should be shortened by 

 being pinched back to two or three 

 eyes, removing at the same time all the 

 side shoots as they are produced ; and 

 when the shoot formed from the bud 

 has extended to its fifth leaf, the point 

 should be pinched off, which will cause 

 it to branch out, and, in all probability, \ /j 



induce it to flower in September of the 

 same year. The Rose is also budded 

 in spring, even before the sap rises in 

 the stock, in the following manner : 



A niche is cut out of the stock, say an inch or so in length, as 

 in fig. b. A bud (a) is taken of the same size and form, retaining 

 a small portion of the wood ; the bud is then nicely fitted to 

 the niche, and secured by coiling a strand of soft matting round 

 it. In the same manner the Camellia, Orange, and Rhododen- 

 dron may be budded, only in their cases the entire leaf should 

 be left attached to the bud. A modification of this manner is 

 often resorted to in the case of the latter plants namely, by 

 taking a bud with a portion of the wood attached to it, and 

 cutting out a similar piece from the stock, and substituting the 

 one for the other. 



In the case of some very delicate plants, cotton wool or very 

 soft moss is placed round the bud, and secured by passing a 

 strong thread round it, to keep it firmly in its place. In ordi- 

 nary cases, however, the expert budder uses nothing but fine 

 strands of bast matting, and the success as well as the expedi- 

 tion with which this nice operation is performed in our British 

 nurseries is truly wonderful.* 



Flute-Grafting. This plan is seldom practised, but is yet 

 used in propagating Mulberries, Figs, Walnuts, and Chestnuts. 

 Two horizontal incisions are made around the scion (in the 

 spring, when the sap is moving), above and below one or more 

 buds, and a downward or vertical slit between the two enables 

 the operator to separate this short, flute-shaped piece of bark 

 from the parent stem. A corresponding piece of bark is 

 removed from the stock and thrown away, the piece from the 

 desired variety being neatly and quickly substituted in its place. 

 Sometimes, however, this piece of bark is not removed, but cut 

 * Book of the Garden. 



