CULTIVATION OF FRUIT 427 



exactly upon the stock. Afterwards make an incision on the cut 

 portion of the scion, and also a similar one on the stock. Place the 

 two together, so that the two small tongues fit exactly, and be sure that 

 on one side the outer edges of the barks correspond (if the scion is 

 smaller than the stock, the barks cannot coincide on both sides), for 

 then the inner barks will also be together. Endeavour to have the 

 scion and stock as nearly as possible of the same size. Then tie tightly 

 round with matting, and cover over with clay to prevent the air reach- 

 ing the cut portions. 



Saddle Grafting is another method, but cannot well be practised 

 unless stock and scion are of equal thickness. Great care is necessary 

 in cutting the scion or it will probably split in the centre. 



Rind (Crown} Grafting is generally employed when the stock is 

 comparatively large. The latter is cut straight across, and the scion 

 cut obliquely, exactly as in tongue grafting, except that, instead of the 

 tongue, a notch is made, which fits upon the cut surface of the stem. 

 Insert the thin end of a budding knife or paper-knife between the bark 

 and wood (these easily separate in spring), and place in the scion in 

 the opening thus made. The thin end of the scion will thus be between 

 the wood and bark, and the notch fits upon the cut surface. Several 

 scions, three or four, according to the size of the stock, are usually in- 

 serted ; tie round with matting, and cover with clay or grafting wax, as 

 before advised. 



Varieties. The number of Apples in cultivation is legion. Many 

 of them are worthless, especially to a small grower, and others in- 

 different. It is essential to make a careful selection, for unless one has 

 good varieties in the first place, after care and attention are lost. It is 

 advisable to grow several trees of each of the best varieties rather than 

 possess one or two of many varieties. A suitable list is given in the 

 chart on page 605. 



Cherries. From the days when Henry VIII scoured the Con- 

 tinent for new fruits and the resulting finds were planted at Teynham, 

 Kent has been famed for its Cherries. But even in this country their 

 culture is localised to a large extent, and the reason for this will be 

 found to be chalk. Where there is an abundance of this mineral, 

 there are Cherries flourishing. On the granite soils, such as are found, 

 for example, in the West of England, it steadfastly refuses to grow. 

 The lesson is obvious. This fruit is somewhat impatient of the knife, 

 and therefore restricted forms such as espaliers are not advisable. 

 Even the more natural fan-trained forms on walls should not be too 

 strictly dealt with in regard to pruning. The best wall fruits I have 

 seen were grown on trees the tortuous branches of which would shock 

 those whose eye for symmetry is well developed, but at the same time 

 please those who consider that the first duty of a fruit tree is to fruit. 

 Where pruning is necessary it is best done in summer, in the same way 

 as advised for the Pear on p. 431. The pyramid form is suitable, if 

 not pruned too hard, and especially for varieties of the Duke race, 

 whose neat, upright habit takes them halfway to this form. Cordons 



