Whip-Grafting, 177 



3. WHIP-GRAFTING. It is not important here that the stock and scion be of the 

 same size. The former should be cut level at the top, as before, near to the base ; 

 both should be cut in an oblique direction, taking care to make the cuts smooth and 

 even, and of the same length and slope, that the bark of the scion may lie exactly 

 upon the bark of the stock. In laying the scion on it is a good plan to hold the pot 

 containing the stock in the left hand and the knife should occupy the right. Insert 

 the knife an inch or an inch and a half below, drawing it up obliquely to the summit. 

 Care must be taken to prevent the knife twisting, or the consequence will be an 

 uneven cut. The stock being prepared, take the scion in the left hand, giving an eye 

 to the size of the piece of wood removed from the stock ; while in this position pass 

 the knife downwards, repeating the movement till a clean level cut is made, and the 

 size of the lower end such that it may when united to the stock exactly replace the 

 part removed. The unpractised eye and hand will not always be able to fit the stock 

 by the first cut ; and as it is important that the two barks should join, he may have 

 to take a second or a third slice from one or the other. Well, he had better do so 

 than leave the stock and scion badly joined. But the less of this hacking work the 

 better. It is far easier to make a clean and level cut by a single draw of the knife 

 than by the most delicate after-touches. When the scion is placed in a right position 

 it should be securely held there by the thumb and fingers of the left hand until it is 

 bound firmly on the stock with the right. 



With regard to the treatment of Roses newly grafted, if the stocks have been in 

 bottom-heat before grafting they must remain there; if taken from the open air 

 bottom-heat is not absolutely necessary, although it will increase the amount of 

 success. Suckers are sure to spring from the stocks, and they often do so in an 

 annoying abundance. They must be kept in check by pinching out their tops till the 

 stock and scion are firmly united and the latter pushed into growth, when they may 

 be entirely eradicated. 



When the scions first shoot the young leaves are very tender, especially when 

 developed in heat. In most cases, too, they are but ill supplied with food in this 

 early stage of growth, and shading is especially necessary. A strong current of air 

 or a hot sun will injure them greatly. When the shoots are three or four inches long 

 the plants that have been grown in heat may be removed to a cooler house or frame, 

 where air should be admitted gradually to harden them. Some will bloom the 

 same year ; but they should not be left to flower in heat, or they become drawn and 

 weakly, producing thin and badly-coloured flowers. 



In due course it is advisable to remove the ligature in grafted Roses, and this 

 should be done so soon as we suppose by the growth of the scion that the union is 

 complete. If when untied the junction is not perfected, a single tie at top and 

 bottom is sufficient to render all secure. 



In plants grafted out-of-doors the composition should not be removed from the 

 R 



