PROPAGATION BY GRAFTING 



223 



FIG. 119. Branches of tree to be 

 top-grafted, as seen from above, 

 showing where to insert the cions 

 to make a well-formed head, i.e., 

 at the dotted lines. 



tant as possible (Fig. 119), are selected for grafting, and 



it is desirable to graft these 



rather near to the top of the 



trunk. 



Branches exceeding two 



inches in diameter should 



not, as a rule, be grafted. 



About half of the top of the 



tree should be cut away just 



before the grafting, leaving 



some branches to utilize a 



part of the sap. The more 



or less horizontal branches 



should generally be selected 



for grafting, and in these 



the cleft should be made horizontally, to give the two 



cions inserted an equal oppor- 

 tunity for growth. If both of 

 the cions in a branch grow, 

 the weaker one should be 

 pruned off later. As growth 

 starts, shoots from the stock 

 must be rubbed off (390). 



The spring following the top- 

 grafting, all or a part of the 

 branches left on the stock at 

 grafting should be pruned off 

 to encourage growth of the 

 grafts. If the tree is large 



and of a vigorous variety, it is wise to leave a part of these 



branches until the second spring. 



393. Side-grafting is chiefly practiced with plants in 



leaf, under glass. The cion is joined at the side of the 



FIG. 120. Cleft-graft in trunk 

 of old grape vine. The cions 

 are usually inserted below 

 the surface of the ground in 

 grafting the grape, and no 

 wax is used. 



