14 SILKWORM FOOD PLANTS. 



should be provided for the scions similarly protected, and a third one 

 for the grafted roots. These precautions are necessar}^, as a little 

 exposure to dry air is always detrimental. 



In beginning work with the stocks sever the top from the root at the 

 collar; this can be done best with a pair of pruning shears. Take a 

 scion at least 8 inches long and attach by the tongue method, as shown 

 in PL XL Select stocks and scions of as nearly the same diameter as 

 possible; make a slanting cut at the bottom of the scion and a similar 

 cut at the top of the stock. In the case of the scion, make an upward 

 incision at a point about one-third of the length of the cut surface 

 from the base; this will form a tongue. Next make a corresponding 

 incision downward near the top of the slanting cut on the stock. The 

 idea is to have the tongue of the scion take the place which the knife 

 blade occupies when making the incision in the stock. When the two 

 parts are neatly fitted so that the bark of stock and of scion come 

 neatly together at one side, or at both if possible, bind firmly with 

 the waxed cotton. This material should be used in preference to raffia, 

 because when the grafted stock is buried in the ground, raffia would 

 be certain to rot before the union took place, while cotton will remain 

 in good condition for a long time. 



After the fitting and tying have been done, the grafted stocks should 

 be tied in bundles of twenty -five, the first tie to be made rather firmly 

 near the upper part of the scions; secure them again near the base of 

 the scions, but not as firmly as before. Care must be taken so as not 

 to displace the fitted parts. The bundles should now be buried in sand 

 in a frame or other protected place until planting time arrives. The 

 grafted stocks should be planted out just as soon as the condition of the 

 soil will permit. Plant them deep enough so that only the top bud is 

 exposed to the light. 



The subsequent treatment is in all respects similar to that given for 

 cuttings. Mark the kinds, with the dates of grafting and planting, on 

 large labels which will not be easily displaced. 



SCION OR SPRIG BUDDING. 



Scion or sprig budding, as shown in PI. XII, is perhaps the most 

 successful and easiest to accomplish of all methods. It is practiced on 

 stocks which have not been transplanted for at least one year previous 

 to the time when it is desired to bud. The stocks should be larger 

 than those used for root grafting. The most desirable time for the 

 operation is in spring, when the bark lifts easily; this will necessarily 

 be after the stocks come into leaf. The scions must be selected from 

 shoots of the previous season's growth, short and stocky, with two 

 buds present (PI. XII, A and B). They should be cut from the parent 

 plants in the fall and kept dormant until the opportune moment arrives 

 when the stock plants are in a receptive condition. 



