1 905-] 



Grafting Fruit Trees. 



7 



which bud, when it grows, will assist in forming a strong union. 

 After tying, use just sufficient wax to cover and exclude air 

 from the wounds or cuts. 



Cleft or Wedge Grafting. — This is a very firm and sure method, 

 but on rather large branches it is open to the objection that the 

 moisture gathers in the cleft and decay commences in the wood. 

 The branch is split with a hammer and chisel, the cleft being kept 

 open with a wooden wedge. The sides of the cleft are pared 

 smooth and straight, and the grafts cut wedge shaped and in- 



Fig. 5. — Cleft or Wedge Grafting. 



serted one on each side. The wooden wedge is removed, and 

 the cleft, reducing in size, holds the grafts very firmly. Tying is 

 hardly required, but it is safer to do it. Enough wax should 

 be used to fill in and cover cleft and wounds as before. 



Very soon after grafting time the buds and young branches 

 will begin growing from the stocks. They should remain for a 

 time to encourage the sap to circulate, and, when the grafts 

 grow, be gradually reduced and finally removed altogether. 



Wax and clay are used to exclude air from the wounds. 

 Wax has been recommended throughout, as it is in many ways 

 preferable to clay. It is much cleaner to use, can be more 

 easily and quickly applied, and there is not the same shelter 



