CHAPTER XXXVI 



Grafting (conclusion) 



The aerial part of a plant and that which 

 is underground depend on each other, and 

 the development of the former calls for pro- 

 portionate development of the latter. If 

 there are too many leaves the roots will not 

 be able to feed it ; and if the roots pre- 

 dominate there will be an excess of sap and 

 food which cannot be utilised, and which 

 will burden and injure the plant. Therefore 

 if the stock has a large stem several grafts 

 will be required in order that the number 

 of shoots to be fed may be in proportion to 

 the roots that have to feed them. 



For this purpose the stem is not cut off 

 in a slant, as if for a single graft, but hori- 

 zontally. Then it is split right through, on 

 a line passing through the pith, and two 

 grafts are inserted in the split, one at each 

 end. It is obvious that not more than two 

 can be inserted in the same split, because it 



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