OF GRAFTING AND BUDDING. «275 



rub the Composition into the wound. If your 

 grafb have produced strong leading shoots, the tops 

 of them should be pinched off with the finger and 

 thumb ; but if they have not shot strong, they 

 should not be cut till the Spring, when they should 

 be cut to three or four eyes, according to their 

 strength, to make them produce horizontal shoots, 

 and for handsome heads. This grafting should al- 

 ways be performed in moist or cloudy weather. 



I have already, in the Chapter on Apple-trees, 

 mentioned the advantages to be derived from using 

 the Composition instead of grafting-clay, and also 

 given some directions for the same. Rubbing a 

 little of it into the incision will effectually prevent 

 the canker, and in applying it round the graft, a 

 much less quantity will be sufficient than of the 

 clay; as it need not be more than three inches 

 round in grafting small stems or shoots, and so in 

 proportion for those which are larger. The Com- 

 position will keep the cion moist, and will not crack 

 and fall off in dry weather as clay does. The Com- 

 position to be used in grafting should be of such a 

 consistence as to work easily with the hand, or a 

 knife, or small trowel, rather softer than grafting- 

 clay generally is. Any person who gives this me- 

 thod a fair trial, will find it to be a sure, neat, and 

 expeditious way of grafting. 



Grafting, or budding, should be performed as 

 near to the upper side of a bud as possible. The 

 most proper place for inserting the cion, or bud, is 

 at the joint a little above the cross shoot. 



T 2 



