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THE GARDENER'S ASSISTANT. 



situated just below where the cut is made. 

 Cut back the stock to where the scion can be 

 conveniently put on; the best method is that 

 termed "whip" grafting. 



When the buds begin to grow on the Vines 

 to be grafted, introduce the scion into a similar 

 temperature to that in which the stock is grow- 

 ing, so that they may start the quicker after 

 grafting. When the terminal bud on the stock 

 has pushed and made four or five leaves, pinch 

 it back to two leaves, and then insert the scion 

 on the opposite side of the stock (fig. 1077), 

 taking care not to injure the pinched-back shoot, 

 as the loss of this will result in the scion failing 

 to grow. Bind the scion on tightly with raffia, 

 leaving the bud free to push, and when com- 

 pleted smear with grafting- wax to exclude air. 

 As soon as the buds of the scion have fairly 

 expanded into leaf, and growth becomes vigor- 

 ous, the shoot on the stock may be gradually 

 removed. If the grafting has been properly 

 performed the union will be complete in from 

 four to six weeks, when the ties may be cut. 

 The shoot from the graft, if allowed full 

 freedom, will make rods from 15 to 20 feet 

 long the first year. 



Another method is that termed bottle-graft- 

 ing, which is, if anything, more certain than the 

 above mode. This should be performed after 

 the stock has started into growth. The scion 

 should be from 9 to 12 inches in length, and at 

 about the middle of it a slice cut out about 

 5 inches long, taking care that there is a good 

 bud at or near the top of it. Then cut a 

 corresponding piece out of the stock, fit the 

 two carefully, and bind them together care- 

 fully in the usual way, covering with grafting- 

 wax. From 2 to 3 inches of the scion should 

 project above, and from 4 to 5 inches below the 

 binding. The piece below must be placed in 

 a bottle filled with water, and suspended from 

 the trellis or fixed in any convenient position, 

 and be filled up as often as required. The 

 scions usually root freely in the water in the 

 bottles, but the roots generally die when the 

 bottle is removed, which may be any time after 

 the young rods have made from 10 to 12 feet 

 of growth. The portion of the scion which was 

 in the bottle may be pruned away either soon 

 after there is no further need for the latter, 

 or in the winter months, it being immaterial 

 which. 



Inarching, or grafting by approach, is another 

 method of propagation frequently adopted to 

 test the merits of a new variety, or to change 

 the variety without removing the old plants. 



The scion is usually a young Vine in a pot, 

 which is started into growth along with the 

 stock, so that growth on both shall be of 

 about equal strength. When the shoots have 

 developed from four to five leaves, the inarching 

 is done by cutting a slice of the green wood off 

 the scion, and a corresponding piece off the 

 shoot on the stock, fitting them together, and 





Fig. 1078.— Grafting by Approach. 



binding with raffia (fig. 1078). In the course 

 of ten days or a fortnight the union will be 

 complete, when the ties should be removed and 

 replaced again rather loosely, as a protective 

 measure in case of accident. When growth 

 becomes vigorous, the scion below the point of 

 union may be gradually cut away, as the stock 

 will supply all the nourishment required to 

 enable the young shoot to develop. All growth 

 on the stock should be persistently pinched back 

 so that its energies may be concentrated on the 

 production of what will ultimately become the 

 future Vine. 



Varieties. 



The varieties of Grapes are exceedingly 

 numerous; the following are some of the best 

 for cultivation in this country, either on the 

 open wall or under glass : — 



Alicante (fig. 1079). — Leaves large, leathery, downy 

 beneath. Growth vigorous, moderately fruitful. Bunches 

 very large, broadly shouldered; stalk short and stout; very 



