GRAFTING. 18 
oe and damp strong soil, by working the Peach on tke 
um, : 
4. To render dwary’ certain kinds of fruit, by grafting them on 
suitable stocks of slower growth, as in the case of the Pear on 
the Quince, the Apple on the paradise stock, &c. 
5. By grafting several kinds on the same tree, to be able to 
have a succession of fruit, from early to late, in a small garden. 
_. 6. To hasten the bearing of seedling varieties of fruit, or of 
“such as are a long time in producing fruit, by grafting them on 
the branches of full grown, or mature bearing trees. Thus a 
seedling pear, which would not produce fruit on its own root in 
a dozen years, will generally begin to bear the third or fourth 
year, if grafted on the extremity of the bearing branches of a 
mature tree. a : ‘ 
The proper time for grafting fruit trees is in the spring, as 
soon as the sap is in motion, which commences earliest with the 
Cherry and Plum, and ends with the Pear and Apple. The pre- 
cise time of course varies with the season and the climate, but 
is generally comprised from February to the middle of April. 
The grape vine, however, which suffers by bleeding, is not usu- 
ally grafted until it is in leaf, The most favourable weather for 
grafting is a mild atmosphere with occasional showers. 
' Lhe scions are generally selected previously; as it is found 
in nearly all kinds of grafting by scions, that success is more 
complete when the stock upon which they are placed is a little 
more advanced—the sap in a more active state than in the 
‘scion. To secure this, we usually cut the scions very early 
in the spring, during winter, or even in the autumn, burying 
their lower ends in the ground in a-shaded place, or keeping 
them in fine soil in the cellar till wanted for use. In cutting. 
scions, we choose straight thrifty shoots of the last year’s growth, 
which may remain entire until we commence grafting, when 
they may be cut into scions of three or four buds each. In’se 
lecting scions from old trees it is always advisable to choose the 
most vigorous of the last year’s shoots growing near the centre 
or top of the tree. Scions from sickly and unhealthy- branches 
should be rejected, as they are apt to carry with them this feeble 
and sickly state? Scions taken from the lower bearing branches 
will produce fruit soonest, but they will not afford trees of so 
handsome a shape, or so vigorous a growth, as those taken from. 
the thrifty upright shoots near the centre or top of the tree. 
Nurserymen generally take their scions from young grafted 
trees in the nursery-rows, these being usually in better condition 
than those taken from old trees not always in a healthy state. 
The stock for grafting upon, is generally a tree which has 
been standing, at least for a year previously, on the spot where it 
is grafted, as success is much less certain on newly moved 
trees. 
