PROPAGATION OF PLANTS. 147 



together. In grafting by approach the trees or plants must be in 

 close proximity to each other. The plants to be worked must 

 either be planted around the stock tree or in pots and so arranged 

 on stoves or stands as to be easily brought in contact with the 

 branches of the stock tree. "When the graft has taken hold cutting 

 it from the parent stem is an important matter and should not be 

 done too hurriedly. Make a small incision at first, increasing it 

 from time to time until the final separation, which may require 

 several weeks. 



Bottle-grafting is merely another method of grafting by approach. 

 The lower end of the scion is inserted in a bottle of water, to keep it 

 in good condition until the cut surfaces are united. 



Cleft -grafting was practiced at a very early date and is a method 

 much in use now to top graft old trees in orchards, or to renew 

 individual trees as well as young stock that has become too large to 

 bud. In cleft -grafting the stock is cut off with a saw at a point at 

 which to insert the scion, the surface is smoothed off and then with 

 a grafting iron or knife the stock is split through the center, care 

 being taken to di\ide the bark at the same time so as to leave the 

 parts smooth. The scions are then cut wedge-shape and fitted 

 into the cleft one on each side, making sure that some part of the 

 bark may come together. In large stock it is not necessary to bend 

 the graft before watering, but in shorter ones it brings the points 

 in closer union. March and April are the usual months for grafting 

 out of doors. 



Side-grafting is a term applied to a number of processes of grafting 

 in which the head of the stock is not cut away. The most simple 

 side graft is that in which the scion is cut with a long splice per- 

 fectly smooth and thin through the bark; then from this stock 

 a thin strip of bark and wood two or more inches in length is cut. 

 Fit the barks exactly together and bind firmly. This is a favorite 

 method of grafting Azaleas and Camellias and should be done 

 under glass. 



Crown-grafting is very similar to cleft-grafting. It is practiced 

 in spring as soon as the bark is easily separated from the wood, the 

 stock being headed down several weeks before the time of grafting. 

 The scion should be cut with a flat sloping cut on one side but 

 instead of splitting the stock the bark is divided from the top down- 



