GRAFTING AXD BUDDING. 



167 



be first grafted close to the ground with some variety of plum 

 allied to the apricot, such as Eeine- Claude de Bavay, St. 

 Catherine, or some vigorous stock which will serve as an 

 intermediate stem, in at least two years' time, on which to 

 graft the apricot. 



White Beam Tree— Crataegus Azerolus. 



Stock. — White hawthorn (from seed). Mode of Grafting. — 

 Shield-budding (in July) ; cleft-grafting or inlaying (March 

 and April) ; close to the ground. 



Remarks. — Graft close to the ground to avoid the deformity 

 of the stock being of smaller diameter than the graft, and 

 also to prevent the growth of shoots on the stock, which 

 would impoverish the scion. Eeject all badly-developed buds 

 at the base of the scion-shoots, and also those at the top which 

 have too great a tendency to flowering. 



Hollyhock, 



Stock. — Single -flowered Hollyhock (from seed or cuttings). 

 Mode of Grafting. — Cleft -grafting ; English method ; inlaying ; 

 crown-grafting on the neck of the root (in April) ; close to 

 the ground. 



Remarks. — The scions having been prepared beforehand 

 are to be buried in dry sand, and not very deeply, as they are 

 liable to rot. They should also be sheltered from frost. 

 Graft close to the ground, or better, under the surface, which 

 will prevent suckers springing from the neck of the stock. 

 If the stocks are taken up before being grafted they should 

 be cut off at the level of the neck (see page 126). 



Almond Tree. 



Stock. — Hard-shelled almond ; plum tree (from seed). Mode 

 of Grafting. — Shield-budding (in August) ; cleft-grafting (in 

 March) ; close to the ground or as standards. 



