GRAFTING THE GRAPE. 



6? 



covering the junction between the stock and graft, but 

 having succeeded just as well wiLhout, I abandoned its 

 use ; besides, I have sometimes noticed that the wax 

 injured the graft when it came in contact with it. 

 Grafting clay may be employed with safety, but I do not 

 consider it necessary to use anything but the bass-matt, 

 and then put in the soil. The twine or bass-strings will 

 usually become so weakened during the winter that they 

 will give away when the stock commences to grow. 

 One-year-old wood should be used for grafts, and only 



FIG. 21. 



that which is firm and well-ripened. If the wood is very 

 short-jointed, the grafts may be of two buds instead of 

 one, but usually one is sufficient. 



Grafts inserted in the fall in this manner will make 

 almost as strong a growth as the original vine would 

 have done if it had not been grafted ; besides, the opera- 

 tion can be performed at a season when there is usually 

 not so much business as in spring, and it requires no 

 more skill in its performance than other modes of graft- 

 ing. It can also be performed at any time during the 

 winter, provided the ground is not frozen. But I pre- 



