88 



CALIFORNIA FRUITS: HOW TO GROW THEM 



above the graft, and to this the graft can be tied to prevent blow- 

 ing out if it makes a strong growth. Afterward the stub is cut 

 back with a sloping cut and waxed or painted to prevent checking. 

 Whip Grafting in the Stem. Grafting above the root or in the 

 stem of the stock when stock and scion are about the same size, is 

 done by tongue or whip grafting. The accompanying sketch shows 

 a whip graft in the stem of the stock. Grafts up to an inch in 

 diameter can be made in this way, but it is generally used for 

 smaller wood. Care must be taken to secure proper contacts of the 

 inner barks at least on one side of the stock. After pushing the 

 parts together, a wax band holds them firmly in place, or the joint 

 may be simply tied and painted over with wax. 



A Root Graft. When the root stock and the scion are about the 

 same size, the tongue graft is also used, as shown in the figure. In 

 making this both the stock and scion are given a' sloping cut of 

 about the same length, and a secondary cut made in each. When 

 the two are put together, the wood "tongues in," or interlocks as 

 shown in the engraving. The object of this is to make more points 

 of contact for the inner barks of root and scion, and at the same 

 time to interlock the two more firmly. In putting the two together, 

 if the stock is slightly larger than the scion, be sure to put the 

 scion so that the inner bark contact is made, and this will bring 

 the scion a little to one side of the center. Bind with the wax band, 

 and paint with wax as in the case of the former graft. 



In large nursery practice expert grafters have come of late 

 years to make this root graft without wax, merely tying in the 

 graft. For amateur work at home it is much safer to use the wax. 



Grafting in the root, where the root is much larger than the 

 scion, may be done without splitting the root by cutting or sawing 

 out a triangular piece on the side of the root, cutting the scion to fit 

 and trusting to a strong band to hold it in place. This graft is illus- 

 trated in the chapter on propagating the grape. It also works 

 well with root grafting the walnut, and is used by some in ordinary 

 top grafting on other trees. 



Planting out Root Grafts. This root grafting can be done in 

 the winter before it is time to plant out, and the grafts can be made 

 a few at a time, as convenient. The grafts, then, as fast as pre- 

 pared, should be bedded in moist sand in the cellar, and will make 

 their contact firm, and even start to growing a little. In planting 

 out in the nursery rows be sure the earth is firmed well around the 

 root, otherwise many will be lost. Plant ten or twelve inches apart 

 in the rows. Keep the weeds down and the soil well cultivated and 

 loose on the surface, and the first season's growth will give a tree 

 fit for planting out in orchard in the coming winter. For irrigation 

 the rules already given for the growth of seedlings for budding 

 will apply. 



