PROPAGATION 15 



wedge should also slope slightly sidewise so as to 

 be a trifle thicker at one side than at the other. 

 With a cion having a diameter of 'J4 to ^ inch the 

 wedge portion should measure i^ inches from heel 

 to point. 



In the opened stub the graftsman now inserts 

 two of these cions, one at either side, the thicker 

 edge of the cion to the outer edge of the stub,' as 

 shown in the picture (Figure lo). The wedge is 

 now withdrawn from the center of the stub, which 

 will spring shut, pinching and holding the two 

 cions in place. The graft is now protected by a 

 covering of grafting wax, special care being used 

 to cover the exposed split in. the stock and the two 

 openings along either side of the stub where the 

 cions are put in. 



This completes the graft. A little attention dur- 

 ing the summer will prevent the -growing cions be- 

 ing choked or shaded ^to death by shoots which 

 sometimes spring up, from the stubs. Such grafts 

 will be ready to begin bearing after a growth of 

 two to six years, the time being rather variable 

 according to the very diverse circumstances which 

 arise. 



It is usually necessary to go over a tree grafted 

 in this way, repairing and completing the grafting 

 the year after the first work is done. Indeed, 

 many experienced men prefer to regraft a tree in 

 two or even three annual instalments. After a 

 year's growth of the grafts, it is proper to prune 

 out by degrees the old branches representing the 

 variety formerly borne by the tree. Thus the tree 

 is chang-ed from one variety to another rather 

 gradually, the entire change covering a period of 

 two to six years. 



