154 



PLANT I'RUI'AGATION 



their lower portion and leaves from their upper portion when both 

 ends may be to every human sense exactly alike, is a mystery. 



tt does not follow from these propositions that graftage is a de- 

 sirable method of multiplying plants, but simply that direct and 

 positive evidence is needed. Much has ]";een said concernin.i.'; the 

 merits of graftage. Opponents have made sweeping statements i.-' 

 the perniciousness of the system. Discussion started in an Englisli 

 journal from an editorial which opened as follows. 



FIG. 135— STAGES OF CLEFT GRAFTING 



L Sav.'ing limb to form stock. 2. Making the cleft. 3. Placing the cions 

 4. Waxing. 5. Cion growing. In this case both cions grew, but one was accidentally 



"We doubt if there is a greater nuisance in the whole practice 

 of gardening than the art of grafting. It is very clever, it is very 

 interesting, but it will be no great loss if it is abolished altogether. 

 It is for the convenience of the nurserymen that it is done in nine 

 cases out of ten, and in nearly all instances it is not only needless, 

 but^ hannful. ... If we made the nurserymen give us things on 

 their own roots, they would fmd sorne quick means of doing so." 



For two years discussion continued, and many excellent observers 

 took part. Some of the denunciations of graftage are [condensed 

 and the statements of various writers run together] as follows ; 



