164 



THE ART OP 



down with the pruning-knife. In ordinary cases the stump- 

 cutter, -which is worked with both hands, is most convenient. 

 In removing the stump, care should be taken not to bruise the 

 graft with the implement employed. A small stump may be 

 taken o£l with the secateur, and the cut afterwards smoothed 

 down with the pruning-knife, guiding the blade so as not to 

 injure the graft. The application of clay or mastic to the 

 wound will assist it to heal. Together with removing the heel 

 or stump, other provisional grafts on the same stem may be 

 cut away, if the shoots of a single graft will furnish the tree 

 sufficiently. 



Incisions to reduce the swelling Mode of bringing on its ovm roots a 



of the Graft. Pear-tree grafted on Quince. 



Reduction of the Swelling of the Graff. 

 If a prominent swelling (A) happens to rise, at the time when 

 the graft begins to grow, to the detriment of the free circula- 

 tion of the sap, we endeavour to reduce it by making longi- 

 tudinal incisions, in spring, beginning at the upper part of the 

 swelling (C), and continuing them down the stock (B). The dis- 

 charge of cambium through these openings dilates the genera- 

 tive layers, and assists their normal growth. These incisions 

 are made with one stroke of the grafting-knife. They should 



