107 
knife from the end towards a and b. This scion differs from the one 
previously described only in the method of preparation. It is in- 
serted in a like manner. The method of inserting the scion and the 
splitting of the stocks is not confined to those described, and growers 
generally find a way which the method operated can, in some way 
or another, be improved. For instance, where the splitting is done 
obliquely instead of parallel, the grafts are better. This is especi- 
ally so in grafting prunes. The bark of the scion and stock come 
obliquely together, and the scion is held firmly in place. 
The accompanying figure illustrates a method of renewing the 
top of citrus trees or of vines by means of cleft grafts. When vines 
are grafted the operation is best done in the early spring when the 
sap begins to move. The top of the vine is sawn clean off half an 
inch to an inch below the surface, the earth around having been 
removed with a spade or a hoe, the stump split with a chisel, the 
two lips of the split trunk foreed apart by means of a small hard- 
wood wedge. To guard against the split following curly fibres the 
stump can be sawn straight for an inch or two and then split by 
means of the chisel. One or two scions of the sort it is desired to 
grow are cut two eyes long. The basal side of the scions is cut 
bevel shape, and sharper on the inner side than the bud side, which 
is close to the stock. These scions are then pushed gently down the 
cleft, where they fit snugly and smoothly, with the inner bark of 
both stock and scion in close contact. The hardwood wedge is re- 
moved, the lips of the split trunk close in on the wedge-cut scions, 
and nothing else is done except to bank 
moist earth in a small mound over the 
ent. This earth absorbs the dripping 
sap from the old trunk and keeps the 
wound well drained. The use of graft- 
ing wax -vould check the flow of the sap 
and prevent the formation of the knitting 
tissue or callus gum. September is the 
best time for grafting vines. At that 
time the stock is beginning to burst into 
leaf; the scions, which consist of last 
year’s wood, should have been kept back 
in cool sand. 
Cleft Graft for Old Trees 
or Vines. 
BENCH-GRAFTED VINES 
take four years before they bear a good crop. 
1st year they are calloused in nursery beds. 
2nd year they are transplanted to the vineyard, where they 
will establish themselves permanently. 
3rd year they will grow stronger, and are shaped and 
trained, but they will not grow bearing-wood until the 
4th year, when they bear. 
