THE PEOPAGATION OF FRUIT TREES 7 



it increases the chances of success in making at least one to live. 

 After the scions have heen inserted the wedge should %e with- 

 diawn, thus alLowiag the cleft to close tightly upon the scions, 

 and hold them firmly in place. If the outer edge of the wedge- 

 like portion of the scions has been made slightly thicker than the 

 inner, the hark of the stock will be pressed closely and firmly to 

 the bark of the scions. Nothing further remains to be done but 

 to cover the wounds that have been made with something that 

 will exclude the air, and keep it excluded until the imion is 

 established and the wounds are healed over. Many substances 

 have been used for this purpose, such as clay, cow-dung mixed 

 with clay, wax, waxed strips of cloth, varnish, &c., but it mat- 

 ters not what is used so long as the end sought is attained. The 

 most convenient material is 



Grafting Wax, which is made by melting together two parts 

 of beef tallow, two parts of beeswax and four parts of clear trans-- 

 parent resin, and when quite thoroughly commingled poured into 

 cold water and pulled and worked, as in making shoemakers' wax 

 or molasses candy. ^ If the weather be cool when the grafting is 

 performed it wiU be necessary to keep the grafting wax in warm 

 water, so that it may be sufficiently soft to adhere well to the tree. 

 It is of great importance to press the wax closely to aU the wounded 

 parts, so that it shall not crack off, covering the cleft and the ex- 

 posed part of the scion in the cleft at the side, and covering the top 

 of the stump between the two scions, if there be two, pressing it 

 carefully and closely around the graft, and covering with the wax 

 every wounded portion of stock and scion. In doing this, care 

 must be taken not to displace the graft in the least, for if that be 

 moved out of its place, the most careful waxing wiU not make it 

 grow. If the weather be so warm that the grafting wax becomes 

 too soft to handle conveniently, it will be advantageous to keep 

 it in a dish of cold water. To prevent the wax adhering to the 

 hands, they should be greased with a little lard. The grafter wUl 

 find it convenient to insert aU the grafts he intends to put in the 

 tree upon which he is operating before he commences putting on 



