THE CULTURE OF CONIFERS 41 



forms the common American Arbor Vitae is used. The Norway 

 Spruce is a congenial stock for all of the Spruces, while the Pines 

 are grafted upofi an understock which carries the same number of 

 needles per bundle as the scion used for the graft. The young 

 seedlings in pots should be placed in the grafting house several 

 weeks before the time for grafting is at hand, to allow for root 

 action, which is to supply the flow of sap necessary to stimulate 

 healing. 



Making ihc Grafts. ^Yhen the understock shows a good, healthy 

 root growth the time for making the graft is at hand. The opera- 

 tion consists in carefully fitting the cut edges of the scion to the cut 

 edges of the bark of the understock and tying securely in place with 

 strong light twine. AVaxing of any kind is not necessary. 



The newly grafted plant is now laid away carefully in a partly 

 inclined position in the grafting bench. The inclined position is 

 necessary to permit the full light to fall upon the wound where the 

 plant was cut in making the graft. This light hastens the healing 

 process in the wound. The pots are imbedded in damp peat moss 

 and the sash placed over the top of the bench. The damp moss 

 prevents the pots from becoming dry, as watering is not permitted 

 after the grafts have been placed inside the bench. The wound 

 starts healing immediately and the cut edges of the bark on the 

 scion and understock gradually become firmly united. The sash 

 is removed and fresh air allowed to enter inside the grafting bench 

 for a short time every day. The fresh air aids in disposing of the 

 excess moisture which develops inside the bench. 



At the end of four weeks the scion is fairly well established upon 

 the understock. The grafts are all gone over and a portion of the 

 top foliage is removed from the understock to induce a greater flow 

 of sap to the scion. The grafts are replaced in the grafting benches, 

 where they remain another four weeks. At the end of that time 

 the scion and stock have become perfectly united. The balance 

 of the top of the understock is now removed and the young grafts 

 are placed in an upright position, with the grafting bench open to 

 give the grafts plenty of fresh air. The season is now well advanced 

 toward the first of April and in another month the grafts can be 

 removed from the pots and planted in a shaded bed of well pre- 

 pared soil out of doors. 



