APPROACH-GRAFTING IN THE WEST INDIES 41 



three-quarters of an inch wide, and rectangular in shape. 

 Place this upon the stock and mark the stock to enable 

 a similar piece of bark to be cut out of it. 



The bud-bark should then be fixed in position and 

 carefully bound up with waxed tape. 



Waxed tape can be made by dipping ordinary broad 

 tape into melted paraffin wax. 



Provided that the work has been properly done junc- 

 tion of the scion with the stock should be effected in 

 from two to three weeks. When the bud has developed 

 a growth about six inches long it is necessary to remove 

 all growths of the stock above it. The scion may be 

 expected to produce fruit when from one and a half to 

 two years of age. 



Grafting. Excellent results have been obtained by 

 approach-graftingimproved varieties of cocoa on Forastero 

 stocks by Jones at the Botanic Gardens, Dominica (vide 

 pamphlet, Series No. 6, issued by the Imperial Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture for the West Indies). He obtained 

 175 fruits from seven grafted trees, viz. Theobroma pen- 

 tagona on Forastero stocks, within three years of 

 planting the grafted plants ; and fourteen grafted trees, 

 selected Forastero on Calabacillo stocks, yielded an 

 average of eighteen fruits per tree within three years 

 from date of planting. 



Successfully to carry out the operation of approach- 

 grafting, or in-arching as it is sometimes termed, it is 

 necessary to convey the stocks to the plant or plants 

 which it is desirable to propagate or bring the latter in 

 close proximity to the former. The first mentioned 

 plan is the more practicable, since it is advisable, before 

 deciding upon taking grafts from any particular tree, 

 that it should have been under observation for several 

 years and proved its prolificacy. 



The stocks on the other hand may be raised in baskets 

 or pots, in the manner recommended under the heading 

 " Nurseries." Seedling plants grown under these con- 

 ditions will be large enough to use as stocks when they 

 are eight or nine months old. The best time for grafting 

 is during the rainy season, so the beans should be sown 

 about eight months previously. 



As the cocoa tree carries its lateral branches several 

 feet from the ground, it is necessary to support the pots 



