Propagation of the Pecan 67 



a sharp grafting-knife, making the angle of sides of wedge 

 with the long axis acute, and cut slightly through the bark 

 at sides of wedge in planes perpendicular with the faces of 

 the wedge. Hold the cion over the stock against the chosen 

 location, mark carefully around the cion, and cut the bark for 

 the slot, but do not loosen the bark more than enough to part 

 it. Plane the cion lightly on all cut surfaces with a very 

 sharp block plane to freshen and true up all points of con- 

 tact, loose bark on stock, insert cion, and nail with no loss of 

 time. The cion should make a snug fit on sides and bottom 

 without forcing. Melted paraffin is then applied over the 

 whole cion and end of stub. It should be hot enough to run 

 freely into all cracks and spaces where sap might collect, but 

 not enough to scald the bark. Dormant cions will stand a 

 higher degree of heat in the melted paraffin than will buds 

 inserted in the height of the growing season. The Merri- 

 brooke Melter, a type of lantern designed for the purpose, 

 is a satisfactory device for handling the melted paraffin. 



The first and most rapid union takes place between the 

 loose strip of bark and top of cion. Therefore, the top space 

 of the wedge should be ver}^ short and well below the general 

 surface of the bark of the stock. 



As soon as convenient after grafting, it is well to go over 

 the work and remove the dead cions. These left in place 

 afford ideal places for the entrance of rot fungi for as the 

 stock grows and the dead cion dries, cracks open alongside 

 the cion, breaking the paraffin coating and admitting water 

 and spores to the unprotected wood beneath. 



On thrifty stock, cions vr^W grow so rapidly that they will 

 demand special care. In general practice, after one is assured 

 that the cions are well started into growth, all seedling shoots 



