426 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



and can take comparatively little part in supplying nourishment to keep 

 the tree in position. To check undue luxuriance, and to promote the 



formation of healthy fibrous roots, 

 the long, bare, tap roots must be 

 pruned. To do this, make a trench 

 about 2 feet deep around the tree, 

 at a distance from it of not less 

 than 4 feet. Then with a fork 

 carefully draw away the soil from 

 the tree, more particularly from 

 underneath, so as to find the thick 

 and gross growing roots. Shorten 

 FIG. 28.-Root Pruning : How not to these back with an upward cut (as 

 cut back a Root. explained before), from which 



fibrous roots will be emitted, place 

 horizontally, again cover over, and make firm. 



Grafting. The most general method of propagating the Apple is by 

 grafting. This operation consists in joining together, so as to form one 

 plant, the cut surfaces of two different shoots. The shoot to be grafted 

 is technically known as the scion, and the plant upon which it is placed 

 is the stock. The latter is growing in the ground, and the former is a 

 part of a shoot cut in winter from the previous year's growth. Stocks 

 for grafting upon are raised from seeds sown early in the year out of 

 doors. They are grown on, and transplanted several times until they 

 have become sufficiently vigorous. Stocks should not be grafted until 

 they are about the thickness of one's finger. In grafting, the habit and 

 constitution of the variety require attention. It would obviously be 

 useless in forming a Standard tree to graft a weakly variety low down, 

 and allow it to form the stem, for the latter would never be strong 

 enough to support the branches. The right course to pursue would be 

 to allow the stock to form the stem and to graft higher up. If the 

 variety to be grafted, or " worked," as it is called, is vigorous, it may 

 either be united near to the ground or higher up, for it would be cap- 

 able of forming a stem equally as good as the stock itself. Early in the 

 year the stock should be cut back to where the scion is to be affixed ; 

 the latter also is cut at the same season, or even earlier. If one end is 

 inserted in the soil in a cool border outside, the scion will keep perfectly 

 well until required for grafting. The month of March is a favourable 

 time to perform this work, for then the sap is flowing gently. Always 

 make sure that the inner bark of the scion fits exactly over the inner 

 bark of the stock, for it is here that union takes place. This is the 

 principle that underlies all grafting ; no matter what method may be 

 employed, the union of the inner barks must be effectual. One of the 

 commonest ways is that known as 



Whip or Tongue Grafting. The stock is prepared by first 

 making a slanting cut as shown, so that it may terminate just above 

 a bud. Then cut away a corresponding portion from the scion. 

 Be careful to make the end of the latter quite thin, or it will not fit 



