The Story-Book of the Fields 



take root, not in the earth but in a neigh- 

 bouring plant, while still connected with the 

 original stock. 



Suppose that there are two trees standing 

 close together, and that we wish to graft a 

 branch of one of them on to the other. 

 Incisions are made lengthways in the parts 

 that are to be brought into contact of the 

 same size and penetrating to the pith. These 

 parts are brought together, care being taken 

 that the young and active substances, the 

 internal layers of the bark, and the channels 

 of the mature sap, should exactly coincide. 

 The whole arrangement is held in place by 

 means of bandages, and the two wounds are 

 left to the slow action of life. Being fed by 

 its own stem, from which it is not yet parted, 

 the branch that is to be transplanted mingles 

 its sap with that of the stock. On either 

 side fresh substances are organised which scar 

 over the wounds and join together, till sooner 

 or later the branch is incorporated with the 

 foreign stem. The graft must now be weaned, 

 or gradually deprived of the food provided 

 by its own stem. This is accomplished, as in 

 simple layering, by means of successive in- 

 cisions effected below the join. When it is 

 thought that the grafted branch is deriving 



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