368 



PROPAGATING FRUIT PLANTS 



If the stock is 2 or more inches in diameter, insert another 

 cion in the same manner in the cleft on the opposite side. It is 

 evident that the wedges on both cions must be of about the 

 same size and design in order that both may fit well in the 

 same cleft. 



Release the pressure on the chisel handle and withdraw the 

 chisel. The pressure of the stock will clamp the cions firmly 

 in place. Wax all cut and exposed surfaces carefully to 

 prevent drying out of the wounds and the entrance of moisture, 

 insects, or disease organisms. Information on waxes is given 

 in this chapter under ^^Grafting Preparations.'^ 



(/) Modifications of Procedure. If the branch to be 

 grafted is extra large, two clefts may be made at right angles 

 to each other and four grafts inserted, in order to hasten 

 healing of the wound. It may be better to resort to inlay or 

 bark grafting in such circumstances. In some cases the pres- 

 sure or spring of the stock may be so great as to crush the 

 cions. Relieve the pressure, in part, by placing a wedge in the 

 center of the stock. The cions, however, must carry enough 

 pressure to hold them firmly in place. 



In grafting over a young tree only two or three years set, 

 the branches of which are too small to take the cions, the 

 trunk may be cut off at the desired point and one or more 

 cions inserted directly into it (Fig. 142) . 



ig) Subsequent Treatment of Cions. Permit both cions to 

 grow for several years (Fig. 143). Usually only one. cion 

 should be left to form a permanent branch. If both are left, 

 a bad fork or crotch may result. However, both cions should 

 be left for a time to hasten the healing process. After the first 

 year the cion which is to be removed eventually may be grad- 

 ually repressed through pruning, so that it may not interfere 

 with the development of the other. After a period of years it 

 should be entirely removed. 



Prune the permanent graft just as would be done with any 

 branches, keeping in mind that it will require some heading of 



