9^6 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



Above Ground. — -In herbaceous grafting above ground both 

 stock and scion must be in a herbaceous state — that is to say, 

 both parts must be still in the process of formation. One of the 

 chief advantages of this method of grafting is that the union is 

 nearly sure and extremely quick. In the present case more than 

 in any other the cut must be perfectly clean, and on account of 

 the herbaceous state of the grafts, they must be protected from 

 the direct rays of the sun until the union is perfect. A ligature is 

 required, but it must not be too tight, and the portion operated on 

 must also be covered with grafting-wax. It is preferable to keep 

 these grafts in a closer temperature, under lights if possible. If 

 they have to be made in the open, a bell-glass may be used as 

 protection. The middle of the summer is a good season for this 

 method of grafting ; but the time depends a great deal on the 

 nature of the plant, and more or less on its state of growth. In 

 the case of Conifers this kind of graft has several great advan- 

 tages, for, owing to its mucilaginous nature, the sap is not 

 subject to evaporation, and this allows the graft to be done in 

 the open successfully ; the union in this case does not require 

 more than a month. Many exotics are thus increased, as 

 Allamandas, Clerodendrons, Hibiscus, Pavettas, (S:c. 



Half-Cleft Grafting. — Far superior to the ordinary cleft- 

 grafting is the present method, which is now largely used 

 in nurseries for the propagation of many plants. Azalea itidica — 

 so well cultivated in Belgium, France, and Germany — is grafted 

 by this means. Stocks should if possible be potted up and well 

 rooted before operating. The head of the stock must be entirely 

 removed, being cut just above the axil of a leaf. An incision 

 must be made on one side of the stock, reaching the inner bark. 

 The scion, selected from a current year's growth, must be cut 



in a pointed shape (^), and then inserted in the vertical cut 

 previously made in the stock. A ligature is necessary, but if the 

 operation is performed in a house no grafting-wax is needed ; the 

 grafts only require to be kept in a closer temperature for a few^ 

 days. The union is sometimes perfect in less than a fortnight. 

 All shoots thrown up from the stock must be immediately removed. 

 This method is successfully employed in the propagation of 

 Azaleas, Daphnes, Hibiscus, &c. 



Side-Grafting. — Of all the methods known and described the 

 side graft is certainly the simplest and the easiest to execute, 

 and it ought to be more generally used on account of its 

 great advantages. The stock and scion must be of the same size 

 and shape, but the incisions reversed, so that the cuts cover each 

 other. The stock must be well rooted, especially if grown in a 

 pot, and the scion must be of the same year's growth. This 

 method is successfully performed early in the year, when the buds, 

 or eyes, are in a dormant state. If the graft has to be effected 



