Remarks on Grafting. 351 



quently take a minute paring of outer bark from off that edge of 

 the scion which is to be applied to the unraised side of the bark 

 of the stock. The upper end of the scion, which should con- 

 tain one eye only, or, at all events, not more than two, is allowed 

 to project beyond the wound of the stock, while the inner bark 

 of each will be applied to each other. This latter circumstance 

 is of great importance, as it is between these two portions of 

 bark that the union takes place. Accordingly, it is a mat- 

 ter of the utmost moment that they should be kept in apposition, 

 which can only be done by the proper application of the ligature. 

 This ought always to be applied, by turning it in the direction 

 which will tend to approximate the edge of the scion to the edge 

 of the undisturbed bark of the stock. Should the ligature be 

 turned round in the reverse direction, it may cause the scion to 

 be shifted from its proper place; a circumstance to be most 

 cautiously avoided, since the smallest fissure intervening between 

 the inner bark of the stock and inner bark of the scion, will very 

 likely prevent union, and failure in the operation will, in all pro- 

 bability, result from thus mismanaging the ligature. The fabric 

 of the ligature is not of much importance. 



The Management of the Stock. — When, from the pushing of 

 the bud, it becomes evident that the scion has adhered, the stock 

 is partially beheaded, say to the extent of two thirds or three 

 fourths of its branches and foliage ; but not to a greater extent, 

 lest the circulation of the sap, or vegetative process, should be 

 impeded ; but when vegetation in the scion becomes vigorous, 

 then, and not till then, are all the leaves and branches of the 

 stock gradually and cautiously removed : promptitude at this 

 period is more dangerous than delay. 



Season for Grafting. — Spring is the season in which grafting 

 has usually been performed ; and I apprehend that few gardeners 

 or nurserymen have at all adopted the more convenient practice 

 of grafting with scions of the current year's shoots, during the 

 summer season, as pointed out by Mr. Knight several years ago. 



I am not aware of the earliest period of summer at which the 

 operation of grafting may be performed, but I am at present 

 conducting a series of experiments to ascertain the fact. Cir- 

 cumstances induce me to imagine that young wood, of many 

 varieties of fruit trees, will be sufficiently ripe sooner than the 

 period at which I have been accustomed to use it. It is cer- 

 tainly of great importance to perform the operation as early in 

 the season as young wood can be procured, as I find that scions 

 inserted in June have greatly the advantage of those in July. 



Last year, 1834-, on the 26th of June, I inserted scions of young- 

 wood of the Passans de Portugal pear, upon the branches of a 

 a well-established autumn bergamot, and on the 2d of July I in- 

 serted a few more. The shoots of the former measure 2 ft. 4 in., 



c c 4 



