The Western Poniologist and Gardener. 



1872 



Grafting the vine may also be sometimes done in this month in this latitude. We here 

 re-produce our article upon grafting the grape — published in a previous volume, and 

 ■which is the most successful method that has ever been tried. If done as described it will 

 be almost as certain as any method of grafting. March is generally the best time to do 

 the work, but it is best to know in time how to do it, so you can be prepared and get your 

 cions, etc. 



Grafting must be attended to as early as the frost leaves the ground. You should cleft 

 graft below the surface of the ground — all the directions for which with diagrams were 

 given in Vol. 1. For the convenience of new subscribers not in possession of that vol- 

 ume, we will re-produce all the particulars there given, with the diagram: 



Flrj. 2. Fig. 3. Fig. 1. , 



Fig. 1. A graft natural size and length sloped ready to insert. Fig. 2. Manner of splitting stock, show- 

 ing knife drove full depth. Fig. 3. Graft inserted and the earth removed. E to C showing the outer bark 

 taken off the stock and ciou as far as inserted ; D showing the earth lino when filled up and completed. 



To succeed well the stock should be at least two years old. Take the earth away from 

 around them about four inches deep, and cut the vines off at a clean smooth place about 

 two inches below the surface of the ground. They should be grafted soon after cut oft" 

 and not exposed to the wind, sun or air long. 



If not immediately grafted cover them over with carina until you are ready. Cut the top 

 of the stock smooth and X\im peel off all tlie loose bark (leaving none but the inner, thin 

 bark) around the stock as low down as the graft goes ; split, or rather cut the stock by 

 holding the knife (which should be straight on the edge) nearly perpendicular on the 

 side you wish to insert the graft, and strike it gently with a light mallet until you cut it 

 deep and low enough to set the graft, but be very careful not to cut through to the oppo- 

 site side ; then with a very narrow iron wedge, thickest on the outside, drive it gently 

 until you open the stock wide enough to insert the graft, but not so as to split it through 

 to the opposite side. If the stock is small use small or thin cions, cut them with two or 

 three buds if short jointed, (if scarce, one bud will do provided there is length of wood 

 below the bud of two or more inches) peel aO. the loose bark off (leave none bnt the thia 



