222 



MANUAL OF MODERN VITICULTURE. 



The raffia used for binding the grafts was soaked in a 3" 

 per cent, solution of bluestone (copper sulphate) for one day 

 and then hung up to dry. Before using it was thoroughly 

 washed in running water to remove the superfluous blue- 

 stone. The raffia was cut into short pieces of 10 to 12 

 inches, and then kept in a box, moist and ready for use. 



The grafting knife was not of the pattern generally used 

 in California, but was one especially constructed for Cham- 

 pin and English tongue grafting ; it had a wooden handle 

 4J inches long to give the hand a firm grasp, a straight and 

 very thin blade of excellent steel which was easy to sharpen, 

 and which kept its edge for a considerable time. A good 

 hone and a razor strop were used for sharpening the knife. 



The object of the experiment in methods of grafting was 

 to ascertain the advantages and disadvantages of the two 

 most commonly practised methods, viz., the English graft 



Fig. 175. English Cleft Graft. 



A. Proper angle of cut for large cuttings. C, D. Proper size and angle of tongues. 



B. Proper angle of cut for small cuttings. E, F. Method of uniting and tying graft. 



and a modification of the old Champin graft ; the first is 

 universally used in European vine nurseries, the latter is 

 less practised there, but is frequently used in California. 



English Cleft or Whip Grafting. This method was 

 applied in the usual way as shown in Fig. 175. The stock 

 and scion were chosen of equal size, and were cut at 



