BOOK IV. XXIX. 9-1 1 



than it should when a way is made for the graft with 

 the knife. Moreover, the pen-shaped scion should 

 be tapered not more than three fingers, and so that 

 it may be smooth on the side where it is shaved. 

 And this shaving is carried so far as to reach the pith 

 on one side, and on the other side to be pared down a 

 Uttle farther than the bark ; " and to be fashioned 

 in the form of a wedge, so that the scion may be sharp 

 at its lowest point, thinner on one side and thicker 

 on the other, and that, when inserted by the thinner 

 side, it may be pressed close on that side which is 

 thicker and may touch the cleft on both sides. For, 

 unless bark is fitted to bark in such a way that the 

 light shows through at no point, it cannot grow 

 together. 



There is more than one kind of band for grafting. 10 

 Some bind the cleft with willow withes ; some wrap 

 it with inner bark ; very many tie it with rush, which 

 is most suitable. For the willow withe, when it has 

 dried, penetrates and cuts into the bark. For this 

 reason we give higher approval to softer bindings 

 which, after being wrapped around the stock, are 

 drawn tight by forcing in small wedges of reed. But it 

 is of very first importance that the ground be loosened 

 around the vine beforehand, and that the surface 

 roots and suckers be cut away ; and afterwards that 

 the stock be covered with earth. And when the 

 stock has taken hold of the graft, it again requires 

 care of a different sort: for, when it buds, it must 11 

 be stripped oftener of superfluous growth, and the 

 suckers which sprout from the sides and roots must 

 be pulled off more frequently. Furthermore, any- 

 thing that it puts forth from the place of ingraft- 

 ment must be tied up, lest the scion should be 



443 



