GRAFTING 167 



Where two or more buds are found together on the twigs 

 of peaches, plums and cherries, the probability is that the 

 larger buds in each cluster are fruit buds. These will form 

 blossoms and bear the fruit of the coming season. On apples 

 and pears the short spurs with strong buds at their tips are 

 the fruit buds for the next crop. 



14. Top Grafting Young Trees. — In the spring time, select an 

 apple tree in the garden or at some home, which you wish to change 

 into a good variety. The tree should not be too large. By the 

 tongue graft method, insert a number of scions on twigs of the 

 tree top. These scions should be from those stored the preceding 

 fall or winter and held dormant in a cellar. 



Older twigs near the grafts are pruned away to allow 

 more sap to enter the newly grafted scions. This will force a 

 more rapid growth. Many trees in an orchard are found to 

 be undesirable because of mistakes in varieties, or other disap- 

 pointments. In such cases, the tops should' be grafted by the 

 spring working method, as here described. 



15. Top Working Old Trees. — Select a large, old apple tree 

 which you wish- to change to another variety. Cut a number of 

 sound branches from different parts of the top. These should be 

 about one or one and a half inches in diameter. A sharp saw is best 

 for this, but care should be taken that the bark is not loosened from 

 any portion of the stub. Tlie cut surface may be smoothed with a 

 sharp knife. Split the exposed end with a broad, thin chisel or 

 grafting tool, and spread the opening so that a long tapering scion 

 may be inserted. Two scions should be placed in each cut. It is a 

 good plan to cut the scion so that the last bud will come just above 

 the.tQp of the .cleft, and the scion is tapered by a knife on two sides 

 to make it wedge shaped, but one edge of the wedge is thicker so the 

 pressure of the stock will be greatest near the cambium layer. Cover 

 all cut surfaces with a layer of hard grafting wax. 



The scions for this purpose are selected and saved as in the 

 preceding exercise. Cleft grafting is adapted to top working 

 old trees and changing them to desirable varieties. Large 

 branches can be grafted by this method. The, best time for 

 cleft grafting is in the spring just after growth has begun. 



