PROPAGATING FRUIT TREES. 199 



of glass used as a scraper. This gives a smooth, 

 thin waxed-cloth with just enough wax to adhere 

 when slightly warmed, strong enough to bind to 

 a close union, and yet weak enough to yield to 

 increased growth. These strips are again cut 

 into narrow strips about three eighths of an inch 

 wide, and into lengths sufficient to wind smoothly 

 and completely cover the work. 



Whip grafting is the method by which nursery- 

 men propagate apples and many other plants, 

 in cellars, in the winter time. The stocks are 

 stored where accessible, and the work progresses 

 throughout the winter. Instead of cloth a pre- 

 pared waxed paper is found to be sufficiently 

 strong, and more ready to yield to growth. The 

 Roffea grass may also prove to be a good tying 

 material. Apple grafts are ^ 

 packed in boxes, in sawdust, or 

 some other retentive non-con- 

 ductor, and stored away in cold 

 cellars, until planting time. 

 Various modifications of whip " 

 grafting are practiced, the 

 most common being a side inser- 

 tion, as seen in Fig. 31. This 

 is a good form for grafting the Fie> 3I< 



rose, which being brittle in its wood does not 

 readily take a tongue. The scion is, however, 



