8 



GRAFTING. 



the better; for if you can run it through a sieve 

 you will free it from all stones or lumps, which 

 will make it mix the better. 



In the next place there must be provided a 

 sufficient quantity of horse-dung (I mean the 

 clean droppings from the horse, quite clear 

 from straw, for it is the best thing to keep the 

 clay from cracking,) to allow about one-fourth 

 to three fourths of loam ; this must be mixed 

 well together, to make it smooth and fine 

 enough for plastering, and sufficiently moist 

 to be able to mix it about easy in the hands : 

 but not too moist, otherwise it would slip off 

 the stock, but that would soon be found out by 

 those who are using it. 



The next thing to prepare is some bass or 

 matting for tying on the grafts. For stocks of 

 the age and size before-mentioned, it should 

 be cut about one foot and a half long, and 

 tied in small bundles ready for the man who is 

 to tie the grafts. 



Now having all ready, we must watch our 

 season for grafting : where there is a great 

 quantity to do, it is necessary to begin as early 



