67 



as sightly an appearance as uninjured trees, as eventually the 

 bridges grow together forming an enlargement at the base of 

 the tree. However, if it is a question of losing several years 

 growth on valuable trees, one can afford to disregard a poorly 

 shaped trunk. 



Cleft Grafting. — If cleft grafting is to be used it will be 

 necessary to remove the earth from around the trunk to a 

 depth of several inches; and since the part of the trunk uncov- 

 ered will be wet, some time must elapse before grafting opera- 

 tions can be completed. Usually only a few hours will be re- 

 quired to dry the bark enough so that the wax will stick to it. 



With a sharp saw cut off the trunk just below the surface of 

 the ground. The reason for making the cut this low is to 

 hide any unsightliness that may form at the point of the graft 

 union. Next split the stump to a depth of 2 or 3 inches, using 

 a stout knife or a grafting chisel (see "Cleft Grafting," page 60). 



When the job is completed the earth is put in place and a 

 stake set to mark the position of the scions. It will generally 

 be found necessary to give the new growth some support 

 during the first summer. If the union is a good one the scion 

 will make a growth of several feet. It should be tied to a 

 stake to prevent its being broken off by the wind. Only one 

 scion should be permitted to grow. Shoots coming from the 

 other should be removed, and at the following spring's prun- 

 ing if this scion protrudes above the ground, it should be cut 

 off below the surface of the ground. 



Bridge Grafting. — Girdled trees that have been set more 

 than two years should be bridge grafted. This process is 

 essentially as follows : — 



With a sharp knife cut a small notch just above the girdled 

 portion and one directly beneath it, but below the girdle. 

 The notch should go through the bark and into the wood and 

 is made as follows: Set the knife on the bark above the girdle 

 and force it inward and upward for a distance of a half or 

 three-foiu-ths of an inch. Withdraw the knife and setting it 

 a quarter of an inch below the first incision cut inward and 

 upward allowing the knife to stop when it reaches the point 

 of the first cut. Remove the knife and dislodge the wedge- 

 shaped chip. A similar notch is cut directly beneath this, but 



