362 



PROPAGATING FRUIT PLANTS 



Again, a variety may be very desirable in itself, but may 

 possess poor tree characters in that it may be very susceptible 

 on the trunk or in the crotch at the base of the main branches 

 to winter injury, materially reducing the life and fruitfulness 

 of the tree. By graftage, the trunk of a hardier, more resistant 

 kind may be substituted, and upon it may be built the top or 

 head of the variety desired. 



New varieties may be induced to bear fruit earlier by graft- 

 ing them on mature trees than by growing them from nursery 

 trees. This saves a number of years in testing them to deter- 

 mine their value. 



It is evident, therefore, that the fruit grower should possess 

 a knowledge of a few simple and effective methods of pro- 

 cedure under the circumstances outlined. If he lacks it, there 

 may usually be found in fruit-growing sections a few men who 

 are very skillful in the various forms of plant propagation and 

 who may be engaged to do the work. 



Operations and Factors: 



1. Cleft grafting. 5. Bridge grafting. 



2. Inlay or bark grafting. 6. Propagating by cuttings. 



3. Whip grafting. 7. Propagating by layers. 



4. Shield budding. 8. Grafting preparations. 



Since growth takes place in the cambium cells beneath the 

 inner bark, it is necessary in all forms of grafting and budding 

 that the cambium tissues of the stock and the part grafted 

 upon it be put in contact with each other. This is the funda- 

 mental consideration whatever the method. 



1. Cleft Grafting. Cleft grafting is usually employed when 

 it is necessary to graft a new top on a tree which is several 

 years old. Even mature trees may be grafted, but the difficulty 

 increases with the age of the tree and the size of the branches. 



The process of substituting an entire new top of a different 

 variety is called top-ioorking. The particular method used de- 

 pends upon the age of the tree and the size of the branches. 



