GRAFTING 



161 



6. Grafting Wax. — The materials used are rosin, beeswax or 

 paraffin, and tallow or linseed oil. Melt Va lb. of roain, % lb. of 

 wax, and 2 oz. of tallow or linseed oil. These may be melted in any 

 vessel suitable to stand the heat. The rosin should be melted first. 

 When all are melted and thoroughly stirred together, allow the mass 

 to cool a little ajid then pour it slowly into a pail of cold water. 

 Let one pupil rub tallow on his hands and work and pull the mass of 

 grafting wax as taffy candy is pulled, until it is of a light yellow 

 color; Make it into rolls and lay on heavy, greased paper to harden. 



Grafting waxes vary in composition. A larger proportion 

 of rosin makes t^em harder. More tallow or oil makes them 



k^0^ 



'^^ 



Fig. 92. — When woody cuttings are set out they should be planted deep and the 

 soil pressed well. The top bud should project above the soil. 



softer. If the wax is to be used in cool weather it may be 

 made softer. If for use in the hot summer sun it may be 

 made much harder. Grafting wax is used in protecting 

 wounds after pruning, in covering grafted and budded sur- 

 faces, and in waxing cotton or cloth for similar purposes. 



7. Waxing Knitting Cotton and Cloth. — In the preceding 

 exercise, while the wax is melted, put into it a ball of No. 18 knitting 

 cotton. Press it with a stirring stick until the air is removed and 

 the wax enters the ball of cotton. It may then be placed on a sheet 

 of heavy greased paper to cool. Strips of old cotton cloth which will 

 tear easily may be dipped in the melted wax and then removed to 

 cool, or wax may be poured on 'sheets of cloth and spread with the 

 stirring stick. 



11 



