58 



and well matured. Scion wood may be cut any time from 

 early winter until early spring. If cut several days or weeks 

 before it is to be used, is should be stored in a cellar with 

 at least 6 inches of the butt ends buried in moist sand in order 

 to prevent drying out. 



The part of the plant upon which the scion is inserted is the 

 stock. It may be a root or even a piece of a root of a seed- 

 ling or the sfem or branch of an already established tree. 



Equipment and Materials. 

 The equipment necessary to do the ordinary types of graft- 

 ing consists of the following items : — ■ 



1. A strong pocket knife, very sharp, or a regular grafting knife. 



2. A grafting chisel or a large, strong butcher knife. 



3. A sharp saw with reasonably wide set. 



4. A mallet of some sort for forcing the chisel or butcher knife into the 



stocks in top grafting work. 



5. Grafting wax, for top grafting and for repairing girdled trees. 



6. A supply of No. 20 cotton thread for use in root grafting, also in bud- 



ding. 



7. A supply of good scion wood. 



Grafting, as a rule, is practiced only Avhen both stock and 

 scion are in the dormant state. It is limited in its practical 

 application to the apple, pear, quince, plum and grape. There 

 are many methods in use, but those only of most practical 

 value to the fruit grower will be discussed here. 



Grafting Wax. — Grafting wax may be bought of dealers in 

 hardware or of seedmen, or it may be made in the home by 

 melting together over a slow fire 4 parts by weight of resin, 

 2 parts beeswax or paraffin, and 1 part linseed oil. When 

 thoroughly melted, pour carefully into a pail of water. As 

 soon as cool enough to handle, pull this wax the same as in 

 making molasses candy. As the wax is pulled it takes on a 

 lighter color and acquires greater elasticity. It should be soft 

 enough to handle on ordinarily warm days, but not soft enough 

 to run under influence of sun's heat. 



In pulling the wax it may be kept from sticking to the hands 

 by keeping them wet. When using the wax in the field have 



