GRAFTING. 7 



grafting, for which we must first make the 

 necessary preparation. In the first place, some 

 strong loam, such as will stick well together, 

 should be dug and laid in a heap, if in the dry 

 the better ; for if you can run it through a 

 sieve you will free it from all stones or lumps, 

 which will make it mix the better. 



In the next place there must be provided a 

 sufficient quantity of horse-dung (I mean the 

 clean droppings from the horse quite clear 

 from straw, for it is the best thing to keep the 

 clay from cracking,) to allow about one-fourth 

 to three-fourths of loam; this must be mix- 

 ed well together, to make it smooth and fine 

 enough for plastering, and sufficiently moist to 

 be able to mix it about easy in the hands, but 

 not too moist, otherwise it would slip off the 

 stock, but that would soon be found out by 

 those who are using it. 



The next thing to prepare is some bass or 

 matting for tying on the grafts. For stocks of 

 the age and size before-mentioned, it should 

 be cut about one foot and a half long, and 

 tied in small bundles ready for the man who is 

 to tie the grafts. 



Now having all ready we must watch our 



