58 



PROPAGATION BT GP.AFTING. 



this short piece down the middle, cutting out the inside of the wood 

 sloping outward, so as to receive a jvedge-shaped graft, which should 

 be about the same size, if possible ; cut this into the shape of a wedge, 

 and insert it in the stock, making as complete a fit as possible, and be 

 careful that the bark of both scion and stock exactly join on one 

 side, whether it reach the other side or not; for, unless the barks 

 meet on one side, it will be impossible to unite. It will frequently 

 happen that the scion is smaller than the stock ; the one must be used 

 as you have got it, the other you must get as good as you can ; and 

 when you have it, make the best of it. Others, in grafting, cut the 

 branch of the stock into a wedge, and the scion is cut to receive it. 

 The effeot is the same in the end, if well done, and in good grafting, the 

 joint is soon lost in the growth. 



There is one advantage in grafting in spring : If it takes, you may 

 have roses the same year, and thus a season is saved ; but, if any of 

 them fail, the stock will grow, if the graft does not ; and, of course, if 

 the graft does not grow, you must allow the top branches of the stock 

 to grow, and rub off all other buds, just as if it had not been grafted. 

 The China kinds will graft at any time of the year, but they must be on 

 China stocks, or stocks partaking of the nature of China stocks. It is 

 only the deciduous kind of stock which is confined to the spring 

 grafting, and it is not uncommon to see the solid stock of a large size 

 cleft to make room for a small bit of choice wood ; they holding it to 



', 



be a waste to throw away the prunings of the Rose, and giving much 

 attention to the profitable use of them. 

 Root Orafiing. — It will be always found in a plantation of roses that 



