106 THE MANSE GARDEN. 



andplenty of strands of bass matting previously steeped 

 in water. The modes of engrafting are numerous ; 

 but the main principle in all is to bring the inner bark 

 of the stock and of the slip or scion into close con- 

 tact, and fasten them in that position without the 

 smallest deviation. Wherefore, keeping these prin- 

 ciples in view, it will only be necessary to describe 

 two modes of applying it, and which will be found to 

 answer in every case the one more convenient for 

 young, and the other for old trees or such as have 

 considerable thickness of stem. 



When the stock is young, and not thicker than 

 a finger, give it a smooth splice cut clean through, 

 about half a foot from the ground, and make the 

 cut two inches long: set the edge of the knife upon 

 the middle of the sloping cut, and, pressing down- 

 wards, raise a thin slice of the wood and bark, taking 

 in all the breadth of the first cut, and extending to 

 about half an inch in length. This is supposed to 

 resemble a tongue, and hence this mode of the ope- 

 ration is called tongue grafting: prepare the slip, 

 which should not be above six inches long, in a 

 similar way; and it is no matter whether it be the 

 top, middle, or under section of last year's shoot 

 that you so prepare; giv-e it the like sloping cut, and 

 raise up the like tongue from the middle of that cut; 

 then apply the slip to the stock, making the bark of 

 both even on one side, inserting the one tongue be- 

 neath the other, and giving as much pressure down- 

 wards as to make a close neat joining. Apply the 

 bandage, taking care not to twist, but to lay it flat 

 ;and with no more tightness than is sufficient to keep 

 .the .parts in contact. Take then a handful of pre- 



