366 



PROPAGATING FRUIT PLANTS 



with the knife ahead of the split or check if it does not part 

 evenly. 



Reverse the chisel; insert the wedge in the center of the 

 split stock so that when the handle is pressed down the cleft 

 will open to receive the cions. 



(d) Preparing the Cions. Cut off a piece from the cion 



{Md. Exp. Sta.) 



Fig. 140. A good selection of branches for grafting was made on this tree. 

 The grafts are beginning to grow. Two or three of the remaining branches 

 may be grafted the following spring ; the others will be cut off. Compare 



with Fig. 141. 



wood carrying strong buds. The common number of buds on 

 the cion is three, though this may be reduced if the cion wood 

 is scarce or especially valuable. Cut off the cion just above 

 the top bud. 



Beginning at the base of the lower bud, with a straight, 

 even stroke of the knife form a wedge with even sides and 

 slightly thicker on the outside than on the side which is to be 



