PROPAGATION BY GRAFTING 35 



and the case closed tight the day before being used, which 

 induces the warm, moist condition necessary for best results. 



The stock to be worked will be in better shape for handling 

 if it is well watered the day before being used. It will then 

 require no more water at the root for nearly a week, which 

 makes the danger of getting water in the cut much less. 



When the days get short in the Fall we light up at about 

 4.30 p. m., and the boys amuse themselves by cutting raffia 

 into lengths of about twelve inches and splitting it up into the 

 required thickness. If this is too thin, it does not work so well, 

 and if too thick it makes a bungling job. When cutting the 

 flowers it is best to leave one or two good eyes with plump 

 buds on the plants, just before grafting time. You can go 

 around with a basket and collect these, when wanted. If you 

 cannot get enough in this way it is best to sacrifice a few flow- 

 ers; a rose worth eight cents, at wholesale, will cut up into 

 four to six cions worth one and one-half cents each. This 

 wood should never be allowed to wilt. Sprinkle it the same 

 as cuttings, but do not soak it in water for any long time. 



It is a good practice to plant enough plants of the varieties 

 needed for propagation by themselves and keep the flowers 

 pinched off these. Much time will then be saved in taking 

 cuttings when needed. 



The stock should be picked out and placed in flats and be 

 in a convenient position, always selecting the ones with good 

 roots and plump eyes first. We use two knives, a common shoe 

 knife, or a cheap knife bought from the nurseryman's supply 

 house, for the stock, and a grafting or budding knife, such as 

 florists use, for cutting the cions. Use nothing but the best, 

 healthy wood, with plump eyes, for this work. Some growers use 

 a rack for holding the pot, which leaves both hands free ; others 

 take up the pot in one hand and work with the other. There 

 is no difference in the time it takes ; it depends altogether on the 

 operator. Make a slanting cut, as low down as possible on the 



