FRUIT CULTURE. 



533 



Select a smooth place on the stock to be budded, that is free from 

 branches, and make two cuts, one across the branch, and the other 

 commencuig in the centre of the cross-cut, and running down the 

 branch, forming a T. Carefully raise the bark on the upper corners of 

 the cut running up and down the branch as shown in the illustration. 

 For this do not use the cutting edge of the knife, but the smooth ivory 

 handle of the pruning knife which is prepared for that purpose. Cut 

 this bud square off at the top so as to fit the "cross-cut" and put in 

 the bud as represented. Basswood fibres, or strips of corn-husks should 

 be used to tie up the loose bark, leaving the bud and leaf-stalk 

 uncovered. 



Grafting. This the most common way of producing a new variety 

 of fruit upon a full or well grown tree. The 

 method most commonly used is to saw off a limb, 

 split it through the centre, and at the outside 

 edge so place a wedge shaped scion, containing 

 buds, that the inside edges of the bark will be in 

 communication with each other. The inside 

 edges of the bark must at some point meet, and 

 to insure a juncture the scions are oftentimes 

 slanted out a little, thereby insuring union at one 

 point at least. Care must be taken not to have 

 the wedged shaped scion pinched too hard by the 

 limb into which it has been placed. 

 A wedge if necessary should be 

 placed in the centre. Cover the 

 cleft with grafting wax and all is 

 readj' for growth of new stock. On 

 GRAFTING WITH very small limbs it is often desirable 

 TWO SCIONS. to place only one scion, which may 



be done as represented in the drawing, and binding it 

 with narrow bands of corn husks or wax. (A good graft- 

 ing wax is made of four ounces of resin, two ounces of 

 beeswax, and two ounces of beef tallow). 



The grafts may be cut any time in the mild weather of 

 winter, and kept in moist sand in a cool place till needed. 



It is not well to attempt to graft a whole tree at once, 

 as the pruning would be too severe. Only graft about 

 cue-third of the branches each year. 



ONB SCION. 



