GRAFTING . 57 



called ' French Cold Grafting Wax.' Although soft, it hardens with 

 exposure to the air. 



ADVANTAGES OP GEAFTING 



Some authorities condemn grafting altogether on the ground that 

 the plants sooner or later lose their vitality and become little better 

 than scarecrows. Where the operation has been unskilfully performed 

 this is undoubtedly the case, but there are hundreds, if not thousands, 

 of examples of grafted trees in the rudest vigour throughout the 

 country. It seems as if the constitution of a plant goes a long way 

 towards proving whether grafting is a success or a failure, and it is 

 scarcely advisable to argue general principles from isolated examples 

 on one side or the other. 



It is claimed for grafting 



(i.) That it increases and accelerates the fruitfulness in fruit trees 

 owing to the check of the elaborated sap at the junction of the stock 

 and scion in its downward course. 



(ii.) That old and unfruitful trees with strong and healthy stems 

 and roots may be rendered fruitful in two or three years by having 

 scions of fruitful and healthy trees grafted on their tops. 



(iii.) That naturally tall-growing varieties may be dwarfed by 

 grafting on a less vigorous stock, and the reverse may also be attained. 

 When there is too great a disparity between the stock and scion, the 

 device of double or treble grafting is often adopted, so as to equaHse 

 matters as much as possible. That is, one or two kinds intermediate in 

 vigour may be grafted on the stock before the required scion is ulti- 

 mately grafted on to one of them. 



(iv.) That a naturally deep-rooting tree, like the Pear, may be 

 prevented from sending its roots down into cold and uncongenial soil 

 by grafting it on a naturally shallow-rooting stock, like the Quince ; 

 and 



(v.) That by means of grafting, choice varieties of fruit, the innate 

 qualities of which cannot with any certainty be transmitted to their 

 progeny by seeds, are preserved and multiplied with greater certainty 

 and quickness, 



' And in short space the laden boughs arise, 

 With happy fruit advancing to the skies. 

 The mother plant admires the leaves unknown 

 Of alien trees, and apples not her own.' 



Influence of Stock on Scion. — It is curious that notwithstanding 

 the growth of one species on another, and the influence exerted in 

 regard to fertility &c., yet each kind undergoes no change in its 



