712 Retrospective Criticism. 



implies that there is a difference. As to the name " mortise-grafting," it is 

 not, in my opinion, an appropriate one, for the opening made in the stock 

 to receive the scion is not (according to the rules of carpentry) a mortise, 

 but properly a groove, and which, in my process, is made in the dovetail 

 form ; from which circumstance the scion, when slid into the groove, is 

 quite secure, without being tied, the bandage which I have recommended 

 being only to secure the clay from dropping off. 



Mr. Diack farther states, that " he does not know how long 1 may have 

 been practising ray method:" to which I reply, that I have practised this 

 mode of grafting ever since the year 1816. Early in the spring of that year 

 I headed off some very old apple trees, pm'posely to graft them with some 

 approved sorts ; and being anxious that the operation should be attended 

 with success, I was at a loss how to proceed, knowing that the common 

 mode of slittmg and lifting the bark, or driving in a wedge, so as to make 

 an opening of some sort, did not always succeed, as well as being very 

 unsightly, and the grafts being frequently blown out by the wind. I there- 

 fore thought of waiting till the stocks had made some young wood, and so 

 either bud late in the summer, or else graft upon the young branches in the 

 following spring. However, being anxious to have the operation performed, 

 I set to work, and in the process of my varied operations originated that 

 neat and successful mode, the dovetail-grafting, which is performed in 

 the following manner : — The scion is selected so as to have two or three 

 buds above where the knife is to be inserted, to prepare it for the oper- 

 ation ; a slip is cut oiFthe end of the scion, sloping it to the bottom, as long 

 as it is decided to insert it into the stock. On each side of the cut, as far 

 as it extends, a part of the bark is to be taken off, leaving the under part 

 broader than the upper, on which upper or back part I alv/ays contrive to 

 leave a bud. The stock or branch to be worked is thus prepared : — Being 

 first cut off, smooth and straight ; two parallel slits, distant from each 

 other nearly the width of the scion, and the length of its cut part, are then 

 made in the bark of the branch, observing particularly to slope the knife so 

 that the under edge of the cut next the wood may be wider than the outer 

 edo-e. The piece of bark between the slits must then be taken out, sepa- 

 rating it at the bottom by a horizontal cut. The scion will then slide into 

 the dovetail groove thus formed, and, if the work is well performed, will 

 fit neatly and tightly. A small quantity of the grafting clay should then be 

 carefully applied, securing it on with list or any other convenient bandage, 

 fastening it at the end with two small nails. The top of the stock should 

 be entirely covered with the clay, sloping it well up to the grafts, and should 

 be examined often, to see if any cracks or openings appear, which should 

 be immediately filled up with some very soft clay. 



When very large branches are to be grafted, or trees headed entirely off, 

 1 would advise three or more scions to be inserted, equidistant, round the 

 stock. By this arrangement, the sap will ascend equally on all sides, and 

 preserve every part of the stock from decay. 



The proper time for performing the operation is from the beginning of 

 April till the middle of May, or earlier, if the sap is in motion. The grafts, 

 or scions, should be taken off in the winter months, but not later than 

 February. They are then to be put into the earth about one third of their 

 length, in a cool moist situation. By this mode of treatment, apple and 

 pear, &c., cuttings may be kept till June, and may be even then grafted with 

 success. I am, Sii", &c. — Edmund Malone, C.M.H.S. Osberton, April 29. 

 1831. 



Mr. Thorn's Machine for transplanting (p. 29. figs. 5. and 6.), and his 

 Mode of supporting newly transplanted Trees (p. 445). — Sir, I presume 

 that to ascertain the merits or demerits, or the intrinsic value, of any 

 article in your Magazine, it must be tested by some criterion of utility, 

 such as its fitness or unfitness for the general improvement of gardeners : 



