22 



THE ART OP 



in which it preserves its pliability, even after the box is opened. 

 It is spread on the graft with a spatula, and should it be 

 necessary to touch it with the fingers, these should first be 

 wetted. Once exposed to the air, it hardens a little. It does 

 not crack with frost nor run in hot weather, and is the best 

 composition that can be used. "We have seen in Germany a 

 cold composition invented by M. Lucas, pomologist. This is 

 made of Burgundy pitch melted over a slow fire. Into this is 

 poured the third of its weight of alcohol of 90°, stirring the 

 mixture constantly with a stick. The only drawback with cold 

 mastics is that they do not harden sufficiently in winter when 

 they are applied in autumn; then the frost, having an advantage 

 over a soft substance, can reach the tissues of the tree thus 

 insufficiently protected. 



Accessories. 



Grafting under glass requires certain accessories, such as 

 pots, composts, mats, screens, canvas, coverings, &c, although 

 the stocks grafted are intended for future culture in the open 

 air. When the young grafts begin to vegetate, stakes, osiers, 

 and rushes are indispensable auxiliaries. The stakes are 

 made of small branches or twigs of resinous trees, or of willow, 

 poplar, chestnut, &c, cut in different lengths. These are 

 more manageable than stakes made of split wood. They will 

 last for a long time if plunged, when fresh cut and prepared, 

 into a bath of dissolved sulphate of copper (bluest one), made 

 in the proportion of about one pound of the sulphate to four 

 gallons of water. Saplings more or less branched will answer 

 for staking young grafts on strong, well-grown stocks. These 

 should be treated with sulphate of copper like the others. 

 The solution may also be applied with advantage to mats, 

 canvas, hot-bed frames, &c, as anything so treated will be 

 secured from the attacks of insects, snails, or other vermin. 



