48 



THE ART OS 



of cuttings is only applicable to those eases of grafting in 

 which the stock has not been previously headed down, 

 and when the part above the graft is to be replaced by the 

 development of the scion. 



Detachment of the Scion from the Parent Stem. 



This is an important matter, as by it the scion is left to its 

 own resources, the parent stem being no longer called upon to 

 support it. "We cannot, therefore, set about this operation 

 with too much circumspection. In the first place, complete 

 separation should not take place until the graft has attained 

 one full season's growth. Some persons do not always 

 observe this rule ; but we cannot recommend anyone to follow 

 their example, and the grafter will find our opinion confirmed 

 in the course of his practice. However, the scion should 

 continue connected with the parent as long as its union with 

 the stock is incomplete. The time of perfect cohesion may be 

 judged of by the swelling which rises round the edges of the 

 joining, and by the simultaneous growth of the two parts. 

 In case of doubt, it is best to act prudently, and prepare the 

 young tree to support itself without the help of the parent. 

 This is done by making cuttings or incisions on the part which 

 joins the parent to the stock. A single incision may suffice, 

 but at the end of a week or a fortnight it should be made 

 deeper. Instead of a single incision, the separation may be 

 gradually effected by a succession of cuttings penetrating the 

 bark and the wood, or of circular incisions or rings on the 

 arm of the graft. These are begun at some distance from the 

 point of contact with the stock, and are made deeper and 

 nearer to the graft at each successive operation. At last the 

 branch is cut clean off close to the graft-, and the wound 

 covered with grafting-wax. 



