i8 DECORATIVE PLANTS, TREES AND SHRUBS 



invariably depended on from the skilled propagator, to whom such 

 an accomplishment is as sacred as a religion. 



THE ADVANTAGES OF GRAFTING 



Compared with the length of time it takes to grow these particular 

 subjects from cuttings there is, at the least, a whole year gained by 

 grafting often a great deal more, as we shall have occasion to show. 

 We have almost invariably found that plants grafted in March and 

 April are by the autumn equal to two-year-old cuttings, and this 

 may be readily understood when we remember that when a scion, 

 one month after grafting, has become incorporated with the stock 

 which it promptly disinherits, it comes into a perfect and established 

 system of roots more than equal to what a cutting can make for itself 

 in two years. Add to this that this root system retains its natural 

 vigour, that of the original stock, and in this possesses a great advan- 

 tage over the " own roots " of the cutting which is slower and shyer 

 than in the " type." 



As to the general treatment of grafts a few instructions are neces- 

 sary. While they are in the propagating pit the bottom heat afforded 

 them must be only moderate. Air must be admitted every day and 

 all day after the first week. There must be no idea of " forcing," 

 and the temperature must be looked upon as merely " helpful " and 

 not " driving." For the first week, save and except the morning 

 drying of the lights, the frame should be kept close and well shaded. 

 Directly the lights are off for draining give a slight sprinkling from a 

 fine rose or syringe, only just sufficient to damp and keep the foliage 

 of the scions fresh. If sprinkled heavily the water might by some 

 mischance penetrate between the scion and the stock with fatal results. 

 When it is really necessary to water it must be done without the 

 rose or without wetting the tops, the slight sprinkling recommended 

 being nothing more than a dew which will have evaporated during 

 the short time the lights are off. After a fortnight, when a callus 

 has practically blocked up every possible ingress and there is no 

 longer any danger of the moisture penetrating, the sprinkling may 

 be heavier and the lights off longer. 



It has always been our practice to keep the grafted stocks in the pit 

 for a month, gradually exposing them by removing the lights for 



