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On larger stocks the stem is sawed squarely off, and the surface 
dressed or shaved off with a knife. The knife is then driven into 
the stock as shown in Fig. 1, and should be to one side of the pith. 
The split is kept open with a knife until the scion is inserted. It is 
always best not to split too deeply, to allow the graft to work its 
way down a little and be held firmly, otherwise the graft will loosen 
and will not adhere. Then, again, the operator must see that stocks 
do not close so firmly on the scions as to crush the ends. To avoid 
this a small wedge is driven into the split on the opposite side. 
This, however, is seldom required where two grafts are inserted, as 
shown in Fig. 2. In most instances both scions grow, and as they 
are too close together one is afterwards removed. There is more than 
one way to shape or face the scion, but the point in question should 
be the most expeditious one, and it has always proved that when 
the work is done rapidly the grafts take better, not because it re- 
quires carelessness (which must not be inferred), but because the 
sooner the graft is in position in the stock, with less handling or 
whittling, the better. Where time is no object, the following is a 
very good method of preparing scions. 
The end of the scion is fist cut (obliquely), then a cut is made 
at @ and b but deeper at a, then a shaving is taken by drawing the 
Fig. Fig. 3. 
Fig. 1.—The stock split, ready to receive the scions. 
Fig. 2.—A.B. The scions inserted, ready for waxing. 
Fig. 3.—A. The scion; a.b. The horizontal cut severing the chip on either 
side; ¢. The wedge. d. Pith. ¢. Point of scion, cut obliquely. 
Fig. 4.—Graft inserted in stock obliquely, 
