THIRTY-FOURTH FRUIT-GROWERS ' CONVENTION. 



23 



much moisture as the longer scions, and consequently are more likely to 

 ^:row. 



When the tree is prepared use a heavy knife and mallet to split the 

 stubs, i^lacino- the knife across the stub as if a chip one half to five 

 eighths of an inch thick Avas to be taken off. Then depress the handle of 

 the knife to an angle of 30 to 45 degrees and split the edge down to 21/^ 

 to 3 inches, allowing the knife to reach the farther side of the stub, but 

 not making the split entirely across the stub. Open the cleft with an 

 iron wedge one half to five eighths of an inch Avide and thickest on one 

 edge, placing the thickest edge toward the outside. Trim the cleft in 

 the stub with a sharp knife so it will be smooth. Then cut the scion so 

 &s to fit perfectly and place it so as the inner bark (the cambium layer) 

 of both will be on the same line, or at least will cross twice, then remove 

 the wedge and put hot wax over all the cuts on both stock and scion 

 at once. It is as necessary that the scion should fit the cleft on the 

 inside as it is to fit along the cambium layer, and also necessary that 

 the cleft be filled with wax near the scion. The work should be exam- 

 ined every three or four days until leaves are found, and if threadlike 

 cracks are found near the scions they should be closed with hot wax so 

 the scion will not be exposed to the air when the tree begins to grow. 

 Any cuts on the body not waxed should have a coat of heavy mineral 

 paint, and the body and stubs a coat of whitewash. 



The Avax is made of 1 pound beeswax, 5 pounds rosin, 1 pint flaxseed 

 oil and 1 ounce lampblack, melted together. The object is to get a wax 

 that is soft enough to be pliable without running, and a little practice 

 will soon show whether the wax needs more or less oil. A convenient 

 furnace can be made for heating the wax in the orchard by taking a 

 coal oil can, cutting out the top, placing four wires across, two each way, 

 about four inches from the top, and cutting an opening to use in placing 

 fuel in the bottom. A wire bail completes the furnace. A three-quart 

 saucepan is large enough to hold wax, which may be made as needed. 

 A good operator will place 300 scions per day, and about 25 scions are 

 needed in each tree to insure a stand, it being better to have more than 

 is needed rather than too few. 



If there is an excessive flow of sap it should be wiped off the stub at 

 every examination of the scions and the st\ib covered with wax as soon 

 as dry. Any excessive flow of sap for several weeks will cause the, loss 

 of the scions, as the callus can not form in water. This may be con- 

 trolled by boring one-c{uarter inch holes in the body of the tree near the 

 ground. Care is needed that too many holes are not made. Three or 

 four holes four inches deep will be sufficient to control the flow of the 

 largest trees. No damage is done to the body of the tree, as the holes 

 soon callus over. 



After the scions have made one-foot growth it will be necessary to 

 nail laths, 1 inch by 2 inches by 8 feet, Oregon pine, on the tree in such 

 a manner that the shoots can be tied to them and the new tree formed 

 as desired. Leave the laths on two years. 



Do not take off any of the sprouts at first except such as may be very 

 close to the scions, but as the scions grow some of the sprouts may be 

 taken off. When the sprouts grow to two feet long they should be 

 headed back, but not removed until the following winter. Keep all the 



