110 
The fig. illustrates the method which consists in cutting into 
the wood of the stock, a socket into which a piece similarly shaped, 
carrying a bud, is carefully fitted and bound with raffia fibre. 
This graft does best where there is but slight difference in 
character between stock and scion, as in the case when a one or 
two year old rooted vine is grafted in the vineyard, for it is essen- 
tial that the cambium layers of stock and scion correspond as 
accurately as possible. If the stock is of a larger diameter than 
the scion, the “cleft graft” should be preferred. August is the best 
season in Spain, and this corresponds to February in Australia— 
a convenient one when there is a slack time before vintage. When 
fitting the scion, the stock can conveniently be bent to elongate the 
socket while inserting the scion. 
After grafting, the whole stem of the vine is mounded up with 
loose soil which maintains an even, dry temperature. The growing 
canes are not cut off, but continue to grow. thus maintaining an 
improved condition of the sap which helps the knitting process. 
During the winter when hoeing, this mound is removed, and 
the tie is cut if it has not already rotted away. In ease of failure 
the bud-graft is seen shrivelled, and can be rubbed off with the 
finger. The summer bud-graft is inserted about three inches above 
ground, and should it fail then the vine can be cleft-grafted. A 
modification of this graft has been introduced in Rutherglen, as 
illustrated on page 109. 
With scions of the same diameter as that of the stock—about 
half an inch or under—the buds are so firmly held that no tie is 
necessary. One man makes about 350 grafts in a day. 
It is important that the stock he well in sap and have plenty 
of life in it as happens after summer rain. .Vines planted in August 
are usually fit for grafting in February. 
When a number of vines are to be grafted, the season, being the 
hottest of the year, buds should only be cut for a few hours’ require- 
ments, and they should be kept in a piece of wet bag. The knife 
found best adapted for this work is shown in the figure, and is made 
by Messrs. Barker Bros., of 262 Victoria Street, Richmond, Victoria; 
it has a stout wooden handle such as can be firmly gripped, and 
should be sharpened to a razor edge. 
After mounding up, and if the buds are tied to the stock, it is 
advisable to inspect one or two occasionally and see whether the 
string wants cutting. It generally rots without interference. <A 
short stake of about two feet is driven alongside the stock. 
