CHAPTER VI. 



PROPAGATION BY INARCHING AND FROM WOODY 

 AND IMMATURE CUTTINGS. 



54. Propagating by Inarching. This is a process of 

 layering by uniting a limb or branch of one tree or shrub 

 with that of another of the same species or a nearly allied 

 one. This quite frequently happens in the primitive 

 forests probably by the twisting together of the tops of 

 young trees by animals. Fig. 21 shows an example of 

 this kind, where two oaks are thus united, forming one 

 tree. In Europe it is common to unite the tops of two 

 elms standing on opposite sides of a gateway, forming a 

 common top over the centre of the opening. Inarching 

 is often useful on the home place. As instances we may 

 have a very hardy wild rose or a strong plant of Rosa rugosa 

 standing beside a desirable garden rose. If a branch of 

 the tender variety is brought in contact with one of the 

 rugosa, with the bark of each shaved off where they meet, 

 the two will unite if the point of union is waxed or covered 

 with waxed paper to exclude air. But indoors the two 

 cut surfaces will unite without waxing by merely binding 

 them together with raffia or woolen yarn. After uniting, 

 the top of the stock is cut away and the desired top saved, 

 as shown in Fig. 22, where two potted plants are inarched. 



In amateur practice it is a good way to get our best 

 varieties of the grape on wild stocks. In German school- 



50 



