LUTHER BURBANK 



In grafting cions on the branches of trees, as in 

 transforming large trees or whole orchards, the 

 so-called "cleft" graft is usually employed. 



In preparing for this, the branch of the stock 

 tree is sawed off at a convenient place, the exact 

 position being determined by the character of 

 the experiment. If we are seeking to make a 

 permanent tree, the graft is implanted upon the 

 limb not more than a foot or two from the trunk. 

 But where it is intended merely to test the cion as 

 to its fruiting possibilities, time being an object, 

 it is placed far out among the smaller branches 

 by what is called the "tongue," or "whip," graft. 



In sawing limbs over an inch thick to serve 

 as stocks, care must be exercised that the limb 

 does not split. In order to avoid this, saw part 

 way through from the top, and finish it by sawing 

 from the bottom. Most persons who graft do not 

 trim the stock after it has been cut, but I have 

 found that the cambium layers join much more 

 readily if the top of the stock is trimmed carefully 

 with a knife so that it is smooth all around the 

 edges. Clean incisions heal best with vegetable 

 just as with animal tissues. 



In making the "cleft" graft, the stock is split 

 with a grafting tool. The wedge shaped portion 

 of this tool is for the purpose of holding the cleft 

 open until the cions have been inserted. The 



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