■GRAFTING AND BUDDING. 



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there are two distinct seasons, known in practice under the 

 names of spring grafting and autumn grafting. 



Spring Grafting. 

 March and April are the usual times for the first cleft- 

 grafting. In warm countries it may begin earlier, as it may 

 in the case of subjects of very early growth. The scion- 

 branches, cut beforehand, are to be placed in soil, or in a 

 vessel full of sand, and deposited at the north side of a 

 building, or in the shade of a tree or bush. They may also be 

 removed from the parent-tree at the time of grafting, provided 

 the sap has not yet begun to flow in them. The stock should 

 be headed down on the day of grafting. When this is done 

 sooner, the cut has to be renewed, in order that the scions may 

 be inserted upon a healthy and fresh surface. If there is any 

 difference in the state of the sap of the two parts, the scion 

 should not be so advanced as the stock. After grafting, should 

 there be a continuance of great heat, the graft must be covered 

 with moss, or a piece of paper twisted into a cap placed over 

 and fastened to the stock. 



Autumn Grafting. 

 Cleft -grafting in autumn or the end of summer is performed 

 in the same way as in spring. Nothing is changed but the 

 season. This period comprises the months of August, Sep- 

 tember, and October ; but the moment should be seized 

 ivhen the sap is on the decline, the branches of the stock 

 well ripened, the buds well formed, and the leaves, although 

 still adhering, ready to fail. If grafted too soon, the scion 

 might sprout, and this precocity in the end of the season 

 would be fatal to it in winter, as it would be more exposed 

 to the cold than if it had remained dormant. On the other 

 hand, if grafted too late, the scion could no longer unite 

 with the stock, on account of the disappearance of tho 



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