PROPAGATING FRUIT TREES. 



215 



Fig. 33. 



ful. Scions may be kept dormant until late in 

 the spring, by packing in a refrigerator or ice- 

 house. They then may be shaved to a 

 point on one side and inserted under the 

 bark of the stock, which will separate 

 from the wood after growth has com- 

 menced. Fig. 34 illustrates this form, 

 which is a modification of whip and of 

 saddle grafting, and also of budding. 

 Scions should be cut in the fall or early 

 winter, before the wood is any way in- 

 jured or pinched by frosts. They 

 should be kept in a cold place, in 

 slightly moist earth, where the wood 

 will be preserved in a plumb dormant condition. 

 After grafting little care is required, 

 save to remove any sprouts or suckers 

 which may start, and to loosen any 

 ligatures which may cut into the 

 wood. 



There is a prevalent opinion that 

 grafting is a difficult art, and that 

 only knifesmen of exceptional skill 

 and experience can succeed. But this 

 is a mistaken notion ; the conditions 

 are simple and the process is simple. 

 With a careful observance of the rules, and after 

 a little practice, any amateur should become an 



Fig. 34. 



