GRAFTING AXD BUDDING. 



91 



stock a short scion is to be preferred. If the stock is a large 

 tree, in a cold but rich soil, and in a damp climate, scions with 

 four or five eyes are preferable to shorter ones ; while, on the 

 other hand, in poor soil, and in a warm dry climate, short ones 

 are best. Let us take a medium-sized one, with two or three buds 

 and 3 or 4 inches in length. In preparing it, we cut the lower 

 part on two sides, so as almost to resemble two sides of a 

 triangle. We say almost as the two sides do not meet in a 

 sharp edge until near the point ; a strip of bark being often 

 left, which gradually widens from the point to the top of the 

 cutting. Opposite this edge is the back of the cutting 

 (which is not touched with the knife), commencing imme- 

 diately under an eye, and ending in a point at the lower 



extremity of the scion. In some cases we shall see that we 

 can continue to have a bud on the back of the cutting ; and in 

 some modes of cleft-grafting the scion is cut with an even 

 face on both sides, instead of being wedge-shaped or triangular 

 in form. "When it is desired to set tfie scion evenly on the 

 stock, a small horizontal or oblique notch is cut on each side 

 at the top of the sloping cut. The preparation of the scion is 

 effected more easily by holding it extended along the forefinger 

 of the left hand. With the grafting-knife in the right hand, 

 it is cut and smoothed down on both sides; the least 

 inequality or roughness would be an obstacle to its perfect 

 coincidence with the stock ; the point should be slightly 



Preparation of the Cleft -Graft. 



