ins 
ee ae 
ems". 
GRAFTING 45 
much altered, each part forming its own peculiar secre- 
tion from sap arising from the same source. Scions 
from variegated trees will frequently cause variegated 
sheots to develop on the stock far below the graft, and 
these can be used to increase the supply of a given form 
just as well as those produced by the original tree. The 
Golden Laburnum is a well known case in point. 
The importance of the possibility of grafting cannot 
be over-estimated, as, by its adoption, the propagation 
of varieties of fruits, flowers, many forest trees, shrubs, 
etc., is rendered available, and the good qualities or 
habits of any are retained, without alteration, excepting 
such modifications as may be due to the superior con- 
stitution or special suitability of the stock. Grafting 
may also be employed for restoring defective branches 
on any part of an otherwise healthy fruit-tree, or for 
the insertion of fruit-bearing wood where there is a 
deficiency. Seedling fruit-trees are brought more 
quickly into a bearing condition by being grafted on 
fruit-bearing stocks so soon as sufficiently matured 
scions can be obtained. The two sexes of moncecious 
plants may, in some cases, be brought together on one 
stock in order to ensure eventually their reproduction 
by self-fertilisation. 
Certain conditions are essential for attaining success 
in grafting. A great deal depends on the skill of the 
operator, the condition of the sap, a healthy growth. in 
the stock and scion, and the season when the operation 
is performed. In order that a vital union may take 
place, it is essential that the two parts employed should 
have a natural affinity to each other, either as varieties 
of the same species, species of the same genus, or 
genera of the same Natural Order. In the works of 
