BUDDIi^G AKD GRAFTING. 



43 



soft^ sponge-like bark that might be injured by composi- 

 tions containing oil or grease. 



The composition of grafting wax is almost as variable 

 as the ideas of the men who use it, and there are scores 

 of recipes for making it. One of the oldest, and, we 

 think, one of the best for out-door use, is composed of 

 four parts of common rosin, two parts of beeswax, and 

 about one and a half parts of tallow ; all melted together 

 over a moderate fire, and well stirred before the mixture 

 cools. If it is to be used in very cool weather, add a 

 little more tallow, or if in warm a little less. In Europe, 

 Burgundy pitch is more generally used in making grafting 

 wax than in this country. Some of the French nursery- 

 men recommend the following : Melt together two 

 pounds twelve ounces of rosin, and one pound and eleven 

 ounces of Burgundy pitch. At the same time melt nine 

 ounces of tallow, pour the latter into the former while 

 both are hot, and stir the mixture thoroughly. Then 

 add eighteen ounces of red ochre, dropping it in gradually 

 and stirring the mixture at the same time. After the 

 composition has cooled sufficiently, work it well with the 

 hands. For out-door work in cool weather this wax is 

 rather hard, but if carried in a vessel where it can bo 

 occasionally warmed it is readily applied, and is quite 

 durable. 



All the above kinds of wax may be spread upon cloth 

 or tough paper with a brush when warm, and after it 

 has cooled the paper or cloth may be cut up into narrow 

 strips of any convenient size. In what is called splice or 

 whip grafting, these strips of waxed cloth are very con- 

 venient for wrapping about the parts united. A French 

 mastic known as Lefort's Liquid Grafting Wax" is 

 made by melting one pound of common rosin over a 

 gentle fire and adding one ounce of beef tallow, the latter 

 to be well stirred in. Take it from the fire, let it cool 

 down a little, and then mix in eight ounces of alcohol. 



