96 BUDDING AND GRAFTING 



of wood is not recommended unless it is impossible to get 

 enough of the better wood. The growth at the tips of the 

 branches of a mature tree is by far the best cion wood, and 

 whenever it is possible wood of this kind should be chosen. 

 Stock. — ^The stock used in grafting is that part of the plant 

 into which the cion is placed. It varies in size and in age. 

 Sometimes the stock is a small root, other times it is a small 

 twig, occasionally it is a trunk of a tree, and sometimes 

 it is a branch one or two inches in diameter. Therefore 

 the size or the age of the stock is determined by the kind of 

 grafting. If the best results in grafting are expected, the 

 stock should be in good condition, so that growth will start 

 at the proper season. 



The splice graft. 



Splice Graft. — Splice grafting is the most simple kind of 

 grafting. As its name signifies, it is nothing more nor less 

 than the splicing together of two plants, both of which are 

 about the same size. One part is called the stock and the 

 other part is called the cion. To mak? this graft, the cion 

 and the stock are each cut diagonally across and the two cut 

 surfaces are placed in contact with each other. The diagonal 

 cut should be from one to one and one-half inches in length. 

 The two parts should be placed so that the cambium layer in 

 each piece is in contact at one or more points. The two pieces 

 are then tied together firmly with grafting cord, and occa- 

 sionally they are waxed over. Splice grafting is commonly 

 employed on such plants that ha^'e soft and tender wood 

 which will not split without injiuy to the parts. 



Tongue Graft. — The tongue graft is very similar to that of 

 the splice graft, and it might be regarded as a modification 

 of it. In the tongue graft a split is made in addition to the 

 diagonal cut of the splice graft. The split in the two parts 

 ensures them of being held more firmly together. This form 

 of grafting is also called whip grafting, and the expression 



