262 GENERAL REVIEW. 



specimen. Where the central leaders of Conifers do not 

 start away freely, the- lateral branches, especially those which 

 grow faster than their neighbours, should be shortened in 

 about October. This throws fresh vigour into ' the leader and 

 preserves the symmetry of the tree. Many propagators who 

 bud Roses or graft fruit-trees with every success, flinch at 

 operating on Conifers, and this without any apparent reason 

 except that the plants are a little different in appearance ; and 

 this mode of propagation is but rarely resorted to except in 

 trade collections. All Conifers, if riot too resinous, may be 

 grafted as easily as a Plum or a Pear. Scions or grafts are 



Conifer Graft (Films) prepared. 



selected from the last summer's growth, and are grafted on 

 stocks of the same or nearly allied species all through the 

 winter months in a genial heat, the stocks being seedlings or 

 cuttings grown in . small pots for the purpose. Terminal 

 grafting is practised in the spring, taking the scions from the 

 tips of the main branches when in a herbaceous state. The 

 scions may be i y z to 2 inches in length, and should be inserted 

 on the apex of a seedling or rooted cutting of an allied hardier 

 or less valuable species as a stock. This operation is best 

 performed in a heated close case; or if in the open beds, 



