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THE NURSERY-MANUAL 



originally, and that careful pruning is required to keep it suffi- 

 ciently open. Each graft is virtually a new tree-top placed 

 into the tree, and for this reason, if for no other, the common 

 practice of grafting old trees close down in the large limbs is 



seen to be inadvisable. 



Small young trees with a central 

 trunk or axis, such as have been 

 planted only two or three years, 

 may be cut off bodily, as at R in 

 Fig. 178, only one graft being 

 made. Usually such trees can be 

 changed over in one or two 

 years. When the young tree is 

 well branched, however, it may 

 be grafted in the branches as sug- 

 gested in Fig. 179 (after Powell). 

 In this case, care should be taken 

 to choose alternating branches, so 

 that crotches will not be formed. 



Top-grafting is performed in 

 spring. The best time is when 

 the leaves are pushing out, or just 

 before, as wounds heal quickly and 

 FIG. 178. A part removed in top- cions are most likely to live. 



But when a large lot of grafting 



is on hand, it is necessary to begin a month, or even two, 

 before the leaves start. On the other hand, the operation 

 can be extended until a month or more after the leaves are full- 

 grown, but such late cions make a short growth, which is likely 

 to perish the following winter. 



Professional grafters usually divide their men into three 

 gangs, one to do the cutting of the stubs, one to set the cions 

 and one to apply the wax. The cions are whittled before the 

 grafter enters the tree. They are then usually moistened by 



