CARE OF GRAFTED PLANTS 43 



when it is first removed from the parent tree ; this is due 

 to the fact that water is being more quickly transpired 

 by the leaves than it can pass from the roots through 

 the newly formed tissues . The check in growth associated 

 with the flagging of the leaves may be remedied by placing 

 the plants for a few days in a darkened place, which 

 retards transpiration, or by cutting off some of the 

 leaves and thus reducing the transpiring area. 



After about a month has elapsed since the severance 

 of the scion from the parent tree, the new growth which 

 has formed should be slowly accustomed to the hot sun 

 by gradually diminishing the shade until it will stand 

 unshaded without flagging ; the grafted plant is then 

 ready for planting out in the open field. 



The forms of grafting which necessitate the removal 

 of the scion from the parent tree, previous to its being 

 bound to the stock, do not usually give such satisfactory 

 results as the method of grafting by approach. Since 

 these methods of grafting permit of scions being applied 

 to stocks under nursery shelters, it follows that the 

 grafts can be better protected from adverse climatic 

 agencies, such as scorching sun and winds, than those 

 in the open field. As in the approach method of grafting, 

 it is advisable to raise stocks in pots or baskets. Until 

 the operator has become expert it is not advisable for him 

 to attempt the more complicated operations which 

 "tongue" or "splice" grafting involves. 



What is known as " saddle " grafting is easily accom- 

 plished. Having obtained a stock and scion whose 

 stems are similar in diameter, slice off a thin strip of 

 bark and wood from two opposite sides of the stem of 

 the stock so as to leave a wedge-shaped strip of bark, 

 about half an inch to three-quarters of an inch long ; 

 trim all leaves off the scion and cut the base of the stem 

 so that it will exactly fit over the wedge-shaped portion 

 of the stock. As before, it is necessary to bring the 

 cut cambium surface of the scion and stock in contact. 

 Now bind the cut surfaces of the scion and stock firmly 

 together with waxed tape and cover the latter with 

 grafting wax to exclude air from the cut areas. 



Grafting wax may be manufactured by weighing four 

 parts of resin, two parts of beeswax, and one part of tallow, 

 placing them in a pot and melting them over a fire and 



