22 REPORT ON THE No. 24: 



ality is quite as marked in plants as in animals. A certain tree may possess some 

 desirable quality, and this may be preserved and perhaps improved upon by selec- 

 tion. It is advisable when cutting scions to select from those trees vfhich have 

 the desirable characteristics most strongly marked. Nurserymen, as a rule, do 

 not pay sufficient attention to the source from which they secure their scions. 

 The individual orchardist may greatly improve his plantation by top-grafting 

 with scions from a tree having the desired qualities most strongly marked. 



*Grafting is usually performed in the spring. It is essential that the cambium 

 layer of the scion and stock be in contact on at least one side. From this mucil- 

 aginous layer, lying between the wood and the bark, the new cells are formed 

 which in time unite the parts and cover the wound. It is necessary to cover the 

 wounds made in outdoor grafting to prevent the entrance of rot-producing spores. 

 For this purpose wax is generally used. 



A good grafting wax may be made by melting together four pounds resin, 

 two pounds beeswax, and one pound tallow. Cool by pouring into a tub of water. 

 Then work up into bars or balls which may be kept in any cool place until re- 

 quired. To economize wax, cloth is sometimes dipped into the hot wax, making 

 wax-cloth. This is more difficult to use than pure wax. The wax may be melted 

 and carried in a glue pot and applied with a brush, or, as is more commonly done, 

 it may be kept in water warm enough to keep the wax pliable so it may be readily 

 applied by hand. It is well to keep the hands greased to prevent the wax from 

 adhering to the fingers. 



There are two common methods of top-grafting : (i) Whip or tongue graft- 

 ing, which is practised upon small branches and young trees ; (2) Cleft grafting, 

 which is usually performed on branches from one-half to two inches in diameter. 

 in wnip i^rafting the stock is cut with a bevel about one inch long, and the 

 scion cut to fit that bevel. Both bevels are cut into slightly and the tongue of 

 one fitted into the notch of the other. The cambium layers must be in contact on at 

 least one side. .After the scion is set the wound should be covered with wax or 

 similar substance to exclude the air. 



Large trees should not be entirely changed over in one year. The first year 

 select the main branches ; the second year part of the remainder, and finish the 

 third year. In this way much of the annoyance caused by the growth of water 

 sprouts is avoided. 



When cutting off large branches for cleft grafting it is wise to cut twice, 

 making the first cut a few inches above the position chosen for the scion. Then 

 cut off the stub at the desired point, and avoid the danger of tearing the bark. 

 With a chisel or grafting iron split the branch just far enough to admit the scions. 

 Too deep a split weakens the stock, and the scions will not be held sufficiently 

 firm. It is well to avoid grafting two horizontal limbs, one directly above the 

 other. The tendency of new growth is upward, and the growths from the lower 

 one will interfere with the upper. In branches, other than those growing perfectly 

 upright, the split should be made parallel to, rather than at right angles to the 

 ground. 



The scion should be made wedge-shaped, with bevel about one inch long, 

 starting at each side just at the base of a bud. Make the scion three buds long, 

 cutting off just above the third bud. It should be cut a little thicker on the side 

 next to the bud, so that the stock may pinch tightly on that side to insure a close 

 contact of the cambium layers. 



Open the cleft with the wedge end of the grafting chisel and insert one or 

 two scions, as may be thought necessary. Place the lower bud of the scion to 

 the outside. Do not force the scion down, but open the cleft by enough leverage 



■■■ For more detailed information send for Bulletin 144, "Apple Culture." 



