CHAPTER V 

 PROPAGATION BY GRAFTING 



THE first step toward grafting will be to order the Manetti 

 (which is the best stock for this purpose) in good season. 

 It is advisable to order in the Spring for Fall delivery. This 

 stock may be imported from the British Isles or from the 

 Continent. French grown Manetti may be bought for less 

 money than the British, but the percentage of loss is greater, 

 as a rule, and the stock is not so carefully graded, so that the 

 difference in first cost is offset by results later. No one need be 

 afraid of French grown stock. It is simply a case of where the 

 lowest priced article is not always the cheapest. 



The Manetti generally reaches this country about the first 

 of December. As isoon as received it should be unpacked. If 

 frozen when received it should be allowed to thaw out gradu- 

 ally, in a cold place, and then should be potted into good soil 

 in small pots; 2% -inch or 2^-inch pots are large enough 

 for this purpose. If larger ones are used they take up too much 

 room in the case, and the soil is more likely to sour. Soil such 

 as was recommended for potting cuttings out of the sand is 

 good for potting Manetti. Some growers add a sprinkling of 

 bonemeal to this, when potting, which promotes a more vigor- 

 ous growth of the grafted plant. An experienced commercial 

 grower tells us that he always top dresses his young grafted 

 plants with bonemeal which promotes a quick, vigorous growth. 



If the roots of the Manetti are too large to insert in the 

 pots, they may be trimmed with a sharp knife. Shorten back, 

 or cut off altogether, some of the large roots, making a clean 

 cut, leaving on as many of the small fibrous roots as possible. 



