1905.] 



Grafting Fruit Trees. 



5 



The next one (Fig. 3) is what may be termed the Somerset 

 saddle, as it is more practised in that county than any other. 

 It is a better and stronger method than the other, and can be 

 used on stocks up to an inch thick. Sometimes it is done with 

 even larger ones up to two inches thick, when two are put in on 

 opposite sides, the end of the stock being cut square instead of 

 on the slant. In both forms, making the cuts in the graft is 

 an operation needing a good deal of skill and practice. In the 

 one under notice the stock is prepared as shown by a longish 



Fig. 3. — "Somerset" Saddle Grafting. 



cut on one side only. Then a slit is made in the bark on each 

 side in just the same way as for bark grafting. If the sap is 

 " up " the bark should part easily from the wood by giving the 

 knife a bit of a twist on each side of the cuts. The first cut in 

 the graft would be about an inch long and rather thick, or about 

 half way through when it reaches the upper end to a bud. The 

 other cut, to form the " strap," is double the length and thinner 

 to allow for binding. At the upper end, when nearly opposite 

 the first one, cut in at a more acute angle , when the wood should 

 drop out. The short cut side goes under the bark on the top of 

 the cut on the stock, the strap going across and under the bark 

 on the other side ; then tie and wax. If the graft takes properly 



