50 



FRUIT GARDEN COMPANION. 



Whip-grafting is generally performed on small 

 nursery stocks, and although not generally practised 

 in this country, I think it a mode highly commenda- 

 ble for the plum and cherry, grafts of which general- 

 ly do well on small stocks. 



The method of performing whip-grafting is by 

 cutting off the stock at the place selected, in a clean 

 sloping manner ; then, with a sharp budding knife, 

 from the smooth part next to the lowest part of the 

 cut, shave off the bark and wood about two inches 

 long, beginning at the bottom by drawing the heel of 

 the knife gently in the bark and gradually cutting 

 deeper in the wood until the blade is drawn out at 

 the top. The graft is prepared by cutting it in a 

 sloping manner in a reverse position, so that when 

 placed on the cut of the stock it forms a neat splice. 

 Some gardeners recommend cutting a thin tongue in 

 the graft upwards, and in the stock downwards ; 

 these two tongues are united into the stock and the 

 graft by pressing the latter downwards into the for- 

 mer ; when the union is effected the outer bark of the 

 graft and stock will precisely meet, and the splice in 

 every way exactly fits ; this indeed is the grand art 

 in performing the operation. When the graft is set, 

 it is to be bound with bass-string, beginning at the 

 bottom and winding it upwards in a gradual manner, 

 When the graft is bandaged, it is to be covered with 

 clay or other composition in the same manner as 

 directed for the cleft-graft. 



