44 



THE GARDENER. 



particularly where the stocks are small, or nearly of 

 the same size as the scion ; but when the stocks are 

 larg^, it is by no means to be recommended. 



" Crown-grafting is performed on large limbs with 

 thick bark, or on large stems ; in either case these are 

 cut off at right angles ; the bark is raised by thrusting 

 in a tapering flattened piece of smooth hard wood, or 

 ivory, between the wood and bark ; this being with- 

 drawn, the end of the scion, properly thinned as if for 

 w^hip-grafting, but without the tongue, is inserted. 

 Three or four scions may with propriety be thus in- 

 serted in the same branch or stem. This method is 

 objectionable for the following reasons : — the section 

 of the scion is plane ; the part of the stock to which it 

 is applied is circular; consequently, these surfaces 

 can only come into partial contact. Again, the abra- 

 sion must be considerably larger than the space co- 

 vered by the scion, particularly if the bark of the stock 

 be rigid. If we compare this state with the principle 

 laid down in the preceding part of this article, the re- 

 sult will be, what ample experience has proved to be 

 the case, that even on large trees whip-grafting is pre- 

 ferable. In fact, the cavity on each side of the scion 

 in crown-grafting must be filled with something ; 

 either air, which is injurious, or, if the tree be vi- 

 gorous, a deluge of sap will flow to it ; and it often 

 happens that this, technically speaking, drowns the 

 graft. 



" Cuttings intended for scions should be taken 

 from the trees before the movement of the sap com- 

 mences in spring, and put in moderately moist earth 

 or sand^ and out of the sun's rays. If the stocks be 

 cut down at the same time it will be so much the bet- 

 ter ; any large limbs of trees which it may be found 

 necessary to graft should by all means be cut in before 

 vegetation becomes active, otherwise extravasation 

 takes place and canker is in consequence induced. 



