234 PLANT PROPAGATION 



is almost universally employed in the making of root 

 grafts. A long oblique cut (Fig. 189) is made at the base 

 of the cion. Then a sloping and very slightly curved 

 cut is made half way between the lower end of this first 

 cut and the center of the twig. Its direction is upward 

 in the wood but not exactly with the grain. The knife 

 blade is forced in not less than one nor more than one 

 and one-half inches. Generally both cuts are made 

 before the cion is cut from the cion stick. By this means 

 the length of cions may be accurately gauged. 



Roots or stocks are cut in the same way, about three 

 inches long, except as noted. The top piece is cut at or 

 perhaps one-half inch above the crown or collar. 



Stocks and cions are then accurately and snugly fitted 

 together so the tongues interlock and with the cambiums 

 in contact. It is well that the diameters of stock and cion 

 be approximately equal, though large stocks and small 

 cions if properly fitted will give good results. Since it is 

 usually impossible to have both sides of cion and stock 

 come even, the cambiums on only one side need touch 

 each other. When sloping and tongue cuts are made 

 properly, stock and cion will fit together without over- 

 lapping ends of bark, which might not grow together and 

 might thus present a point of infection for decay or dis- 

 ease. Crown gall (Fig. 182) or root knot, the chief enemy, 

 seems unable to get a start except through a wound of 

 some kind. Overlapping tongues mean imperfect unions 

 and unhealed wounds for one or more years. 



After adjustment, stock and cion are bound together 

 with knitting cotton, either waxed or not. Four or five 

 turns around each end of the fitted parts are enough. To- 

 avoid tying, some operators pass the first turn or two 

 over the end of the string and draw the other end through 

 the notch between stock and cion and snap ofif with a 

 sudden jerk rather than a steady pull. Those who use 

 waxed thread merely cross the last turn or tv/o over the 

 previous turns and break without tying or passing 

 through the notch. The least possible quantity of thread 



