PROPAGATION BY BUDDING AND GRAFTING. 



79 



scion and root, and firm tying to hold the parts together 

 tightly. 



The tying is done with waxed thread that will stick 

 without tying when the winding 

 is completed. The common plan 

 of waxing the thread is to immerse 

 the balls of cotton yarn (No. 18 or 

 20) in hot wax (83) until well satu- 

 rated. But this plan gives trouble. 

 The wax is unevenly distributed and 

 the end is frequently lost. A better 

 plan is to run the thread through 

 melted wax by winding it on an im- 

 provised reel. To take off the sur- 

 plus wax the thread as it leaves the 

 wax passes through a piece of folded 

 sheep skin with the wool on that Fia. 42. "Whip-grafting 

 returns the surplus to the dish. the a PP le - 



This gives evenly waxed thread and saves much time in 

 graft-winding. 



85. Packing Away the Grafts. While grafting and 

 winding keep the grafts as finished under a damp cloth. 

 In packing set the box on end as shown in Fig. 43. A 

 layer of sandy earth is followed by a layer of grafts until 

 the box is full. In filling, the grafts are kept pressed 

 down tightly. This plan is followed with all root- and 

 crown-grafts. 



The storing of the packed boxes of grafts in a common 

 cellar subjects them to changing conditions of air as to 

 heat and moisture and often develops what is known as 

 the graft-box fungus. The best quarters for storing the 

 grafts is in a dirt-covered cave. During winter and early 

 spring the cave is kept cole, by opening early in the eve- 

 ning and keeping it closed during the day. If the air at 



