78 HORTICULTURAL MANUAL. 



does the work of crowding the wax into the cavities best 

 and does away with the danger of getting the wax too hot. 



In tlie South, a favorite grafting-wax for outdoor use is 

 made from resin, pitch, tallow, and red ochre. The pro- 

 portions are three pounds white resin, one and one-half 

 pounds of pitch, and eight ounces of tallow. The tallow 

 is melted separately and poured into the hot resin and 

 pitch slowly with constant stirring. While yet hot, add 

 the ochre slowly by stirring. This mixture is worked by 

 the hands before using like the old-fashioned grafting- 

 wax. It also needs the warming stove under to keep it 

 soft enough for use. 



The wax used for the winding thread in root-grafting is 

 made by melting six parti white resin, two parts beeswax, 

 and one part of tallow, with enough wood alcohol to make 

 the mixture about like syrup when in a warm room. 



The use of linseed oil in making grafting-wax is now 

 abandoned, mainly on account of its modern adulterations 

 or processes of manufacture. 



84. Root-grafting the Apple. — The now common plan 

 of root-grafting the apple is by the method known as 

 tongue-, or whip-grafting. It is easier and simpler than 

 other methods, and no waxing seems needed. If corre- 

 sponding sloping cuts are made on root and scion, and 

 the inner bark of the two are united and wound, the 

 union will take place with common care. But this plan 

 is troublesome, as it is difficult to hold the parts together 

 while winding with the waxed thread. Hence as a matter 

 of convenience a small tongue is cut on the sloping sur- 

 faces. When shoved together the tongue holds the parts 

 quite firmly until wound. Fig. 43 shows the sloping 

 cuts with tongue and as joined together ready for tying. 

 The essentials are a smooth cut with a sharp, thin-bladed 

 knife, the ujiion of the inner bark on at least one side of 



