Making the Grafts 257 



at least a month before planting time. February is gen- 

 erally the most convenient time to do the work. 



Making the Grafts 



If the twigs are long enough make the scions about six 

 inches long, but they may be made shorter if necessary. 

 On the butt end of the scion make a sloping cut an inch 

 or an inch and a half long. Use a sharp knife and make 

 the cut smooth and uniform. On the cut surface, about 

 one-third of the way from the end of the twig, make a 

 slit or tongue by a downward cut, from one-half to an inch 

 deep along the grain of the wood; then cut off at the 

 desired length. 



Next take one of the long seedling roots and follow the 

 same process. Begin at the crown (the part of the root 

 that was just at the surface of the ground) and form a 

 sloping cut, being careful that it is of the same slope as 

 that of the scion; and make the tongue in the same way 

 the same distance from the end of the root as in the scion. 

 This done, cut the root off, having the piece about three 

 inches long and repeating the process until the entire root 

 has been used. If the seedlings have made a good growth 

 and the soil has been porous enough to let them go down, 

 each root will usually make two and sometimes three 

 pieces. 



Join the root and scion by pressing the two sloping 

 surfaces together and forcing the tongues to interlock. 

 At this point the main thing to be observed is to watch one 

 side and to see that the bark line of the scion, comes in 

 contact with the bark line of the root. This is highly im- 

 portant, for here is where the two are to grow together. 

 The scion and root may not be of the same thickness; in 

 fact, seldom are, but this makes no difference if the above 

 instructions are followed. After pressing the two pieces 

 together, it will be necessary to wrap the graft at the 

 point of union with No. 18 or 20 knitting cotton. Lay the 

 thread on the wood near the end of the cut, wind two or 



(9) 



