88 RATIONAL FRUIT CULTURE. 



it wedge-shaped, and to remove from the former a correspond- 

 ing wedge. To prevent any chance of slipping, the scion is 

 often cut with a piece overhanging the wedge (see illustra- 

 tion) , this piece fitting down on the top of the stock. 



TONGUE-GRAFTING. 



In tongue-grafting, scion and stock are sliced in the same 

 way as in whip-grafting, but the precaution against slipping 

 is rather more elaborate, the lower end of the scion being 



Fig. 33. — Tongue Grafting. 



provided with a tongue, and the upper end of the stock with 

 a nick, into which the tongue fits. In either method several 

 scions may be grafted on the same stock — round the top. 



CLEFT-GRAFTING. 



In cleft-grafting, the stock is split for a short distance by 

 means of a sharp axe, held in the desired position and driven 

 in by a mallet. When the axe is withdrawn, a chisel is in- 

 serted in the middle of the oleft to force it open and keep 

 it so. A scion, cut wedge-shaped below (us in whip-grafting > , 

 is then fitted into each end of tho cleft. When the rhisel 

 is removed, the two edges of Iho cleft closo, and hold the 

 scion so firmly that it is seldom necoasary to liind them. 



