GRAFTING. 13 



climate and damp strong soil, by working the Peach on the 

 Plum. 



4. To render divarf certain kinds of fruit, by grafting them on 

 suitable stocks of slower growth, as in the case of the Pear on 

 the Quince, the Apple on the paradise stock, &c. 



5. By grafting several kinds on the same tree, to be able to 

 have a succession of fruit, from early to late, in a small garden. 



.6. To hasten the bearing of seedling varieties of fruit, or of 

 such as are a long time in producing fruit, by grafting them on 

 the branches of full grown, or mature bearing trees. Thus a 

 seedling pear, which would not produce fruit on its own root in 

 a dozen years, w^ill generally begin to bear the third or fourth 

 year, if grafted on the extremity of the bearing branches of a 

 mature tree. 



The proper time for grafting fruit trees is in the spring, as 

 soon as the sap is in motion, which commences earliest with the 

 Cherry and Plum, and ends with the Pear and Apple. The pre- 

 cise time of course varies with the season and the climate, but 

 is generally comprised from February to the middle of April. 

 The grape vine, how^ever, Avhich suffers by bleeding, is not usu- 

 ally grafted until it is in leaf. The most favourable w^eather for 

 grafting is a mild atmosphere with occasional showers. 



The scions are generally selected previously ; as it is found 

 in nearly all kinds of grafting by scions, that success is more 

 complete when the stock upon which they are placed is a little 

 more advanced — the sap in a more active state than in the 

 scion. To secure this, we usually cut the scions very early 

 in the spring, during winter, or even in the autumn, burying 

 their lower ends in the ground in a shaded place, or keeping 

 them in fine soil in the cellar till w^anted for use. ' In cutting 

 scions, w^e choose straight thrifty shoots of the last year's growth, 

 which may remain entire until w^e commence grafting, w^hen 

 they may be cut into scions of three or four buds each. In se- 

 lecting scions from old trees it is always advisable to choose the 

 most vigorous of the last year's shoots growing near the centre 

 or top of the tree. Scions from sickly and unhealthy branches 

 should be rejected, as they are apt to carry with them this feeble 

 and sickly state. Scions taken from the lower bearing branches 

 will produce fruit soonest, but they will not afford trees of so 

 handsome a shape, or so vigorous a growth, as those taken from 

 the thrifty upright shoots near the centre or top of the tree. 

 Nurserymen generally take their scions from young grafted 

 trees in the nursery-rows, these being usually in better condition 

 than those taken from old trees not alw^ays in a healthy state. 



The stock for grafting upon^ is generally a tree w^hich has 

 been standing, at least for a year previously, on the spot where it 

 is grafted, as success is much less certain on newly moved 

 trees. 



