FRUITS. CHAP. 



ever, you must, as soon as the scion is putting forth 

 shoots, cut off, or rub off, all shoots proceeding from the 

 stock between the ground and the clay, as these, if suf- 

 fered to push on, would divert the sap away from the 

 scion and probably starve it j then carefully stake the 

 plant, that is, put a small stick into the ground at within 

 three inches, or thereabouts, of the root, and long 

 enough to reach a few inches above the scion, which you 

 will tie to it slightly with a piece of wetted matting. 

 This is really necessary, for, when the shoots proceed- 

 ing from the scion, become half a foot long, they, 

 with the aid of their leaves, become so heavy, that 

 when blown to and fro by the wind, will break off 

 immediately above the clay, or become loosened down 

 at the part joined to the stock. The staking being 

 done, you need do nothing more till about the end of 

 June, when you should take off the whole mass of can- 

 vass, clay, and bandage 5 but be very careful, in taking 

 off the clay, not to break off the plant at the junction. 

 It should be done by a careful hand, and after a day or 

 two of rainy weather, as then the clay is moist and comes 

 off without so much danger to the plant as when it is 

 not. On taking off the clay, there is found a little sharp 

 angle left at the top of the stock j this should now be 

 cut smooth off, as is marked by the dots at a. in fig. 3. 

 The bark of the stock and that of the scion will heal 

 over this, and the union is then complete. Lastly, it is 

 frequently found that mould, and sometimes small vermin, 

 have collected round the heretofore covered parts of the 

 plant, according as the clay has been cracked by the sun. 

 Rub off all mould with your fingers. No instrument 

 does it so well ; and kill all vermin in the same way ; 



