48 PROPAGATION. 



the upper cuts. The sharpened pieces or shoots are then bent 

 outward in the middle until the points will enter the open- 

 ings, when they are firmly crowded in with the hand until 

 brought nearly straight, as shown in the figure. Fig. 78 ex- 

 hibits a section of the tree and the exact position of these 

 pieces when inserted. Where a large number of trees are in- 

 jured, four or five pieces to each tree are enough. They will 

 rapidly enlarge as the tree grows, and in a few years become 

 confluent. If a few choice trees have been girdled, a larger 

 number may be inserted, so that they may be nearly in con- 

 tact — thus securing a complete cure in a year or two. The 

 work may be covered with grafting wax or with a small 

 mound of earth — perhaps the operation would be successful 

 without any covering. It is not necessary that it be performed 

 very early in spring — it will even answer after the buds have 

 begun to swell. 



