14 



TYING OF GRAFTS. 



above the top of the stock, in order that it may 

 hang well on the shoulder ; this he should roll 

 up in his hands nearly in the form of an egg, 

 then make a hollow in one side of it with one 

 hand, sufficiently deep, that when it is put on the 

 stock, it will enclose it all round alike. 



After the dabber follows another boy, called 

 the closer ; he follows with a pot of dry ashes, or 

 dust, to rub his hands with to keep them from 

 sticking to the clay, and closes up every crack, 

 squeezing it tight round the bottom of the clay 

 to keep it from slipping; then making it per- 

 fectly smooth, nearly in the form of an egg, it 

 finishes the grafting. 



The above is the general way of grafting in 

 large nurseries about London ; but where small 

 quantities only are wanted to be grafted, the 

 grafter may tie his own grafts, and one boy will 

 serve both to dab and close. 



I have treated as fully as possible on grafting 

 of •apples, as it will serve for most other fruits, 

 for this practice of grafting is far preferable to 

 saddle or rind grafting for fruit trees. 



