120 PROPAGATION OF THE APPLE. 



portion of tallow or oil in the wax described under grafting, 

 will accomplish this purpose. 



When the grafting is completed, the grafted roots are to 

 be packed away in boxes, till the ground opens. Eaisin 

 boxes, or those of similar size, will prove convenient. Fine 

 mould or peat, from the box in which the roo's were packed, 

 is sprinkled over the bottom, the grafts are placed in, slant- 

 ing, in successive layers, and all the spaces filled with 

 mould or peat. A strip of board, with a length equal to 

 the width of the box, to press against each successive layer 

 while applying the mould, is found convenient. The mould 

 should reach within an inch or two of the tops of the grafts, 

 and should be compactly filled among them. During the 

 whole of the work, each heap of grafts must be kept with 

 a label, and every box sufficiently marked, to prevent all 

 possibility of mistake. 



It is a practice with many cultivators to place the boxes 

 in so warm a place, that the grafts may make a growth of 

 a few inches before setting out. But unless the soil is very 

 favorable, the result is often unsuccessful. As a general 

 rule, for all localities, the grafts should be set out as early 

 as practicable in spring, and before they have made much 

 growth. 



Waxing is sometimes omitted ; but in light or gravelly 

 soils, and especially if dry weather succeeds, the omission is 

 attended with great loss. 



The most favorable soils, are rich, rather moist, and 

 rather heavy loams. If light or gravelly, there is more dan- 

 ger from midsummer drouths, which often prove quite de- 

 structive. Grafting the whole root entire will much 

 lessen the difficulty. 



The grafts are most expeditiously set out with a 

 dibble, or a sharp tool, shod with iron or steel, about 

 an inch and a half in diameter, one stroke of which 

 into the mellow soil forms a hole for the roots, and 

 two or three lighter strokes press the earth closely 

 about them. Fig. 100 represents a convenient form 

 for this instrument, which may be made of the handle of a 

 broken spade. Fig. 101 shows the graft and root, ready for 

 setting out. To keep the whole moist, till sufficient growth 

 takes place, the place of union between the root and graft 



