56 TEEES IN" WINTER 



Grafting — There are many methods of grafting, differing 

 mainly in the position of the union and in the method with which 

 the scion and stock are joined. Space here will permit only of a 

 discussion of general principles and for the technique of the va- 

 rious methods the reader is referred to Bailey's N"ursery Book. 



That portion of a plant that is mechanically inserted upon an- 

 other plant with the expectation that it shall grow, is called the 

 scion. The plant or the part of a plant upon Avhich the scion is set 

 is called the stock. The most important point in the whole 

 operation of grafting is the necessity for inserting the scion in 

 such a way that its cambium layer or inner bark will come in close 

 contact with that of the stock. When this condition is fulfilled 

 all that remains is to prevent the access of moisture and disease 

 spores and to prevent the parts from drying out before union is 

 affected. This is accomplished by the use of grafting wax which' 

 may be purchased at small cost or made of the following: resin, 

 4 parts; beeswax, 2 parts; tallow or linseed oil, 1 part (by weight). 

 The resin and beeswax are broken finely and melted together with 

 the tallow. When thoroughly melted the mixture should be 

 poured into a pail of cold w^ater and left there till it becomes just 

 hard enough to handle, when it should be taken out and pulled like 

 taffy until it becomes light brown or fawn in color. In the pull- 

 ing and subsequent handling the hands should be well greased to 

 prevent sticking. If the wax hardens before the time for using, it 

 must be slightly warmed and softened so that it may be applied ex- 

 peditiously and effectively. 



Scions for grafting are usually collected in N'ovember, just after 

 the leaves have fallen, but they may be collected any time during 

 the dormant season. The scions are tied in bundles, packed in 

 moist sand or soil and stored in a cool place in the same way as 

 described for cuttings. 



Cleft Grafting is the method commonly employed when it is de- 

 sired to change the variety of mature fruit trees. The process in 

 brief is described here and will serve to illustrate more clearly the 

 essential features of all grafting methods. 



A branch, usually less than two inches in diameter is sawed off 

 squarely and smoothly. The stub is split down through the center 

 to a distance of about two or three inches. For this purpose a 

 special kind of knife is used and a mallet is often used to drive the 



