WHIP GRAFTING 



373 



Fit the cut surface of the cion against the exposed surface 

 of the stock, and draw them together tightly by driving two 

 nails carefully through the cion into the stock. Wax all cut 

 and exposed surfaces carefully. 



Insert two or more cions, depending upon the size of the 

 stock. The more cions that are used, the quicker the healing 

 process will be completed. Very large branches or trunks may 

 be grafted, though the grafts are more likely to break out at 

 some future time. 



Subsequent treatment of cions is the same as in cleft 

 grafting. 



3. Whip Grafting. Whip grafting, or tongue grafting, as 

 it is sometimes called, is used for parts too small to be cleft 

 grafted. 



The nurseryman uses it to establish known varieties on 

 seedling roots. The fruit grower uses it to graft the trunks 

 of small trees either after planting or later, and to change the 

 tops of young trees by working over the branches to the 

 variety desired. To use on trees, perform the operation just 

 as growth is about to start in the spring, continuing if necessary 

 for ten days or two weeks after growth has begun, provided 

 that the cions are held in a dormant condition. 



Equipment. A sharp knife with a thin straight blade is an 

 essential. To this add grafting wax and waxed cord prepared 

 as indicated under '^Grafting Preparations.'' 



Preparing the Stock. Select a smooth, clear place on the 

 trunk or branch and sever the part with a clean, drawing 

 motion of the knife, exposing a sloping surface 1 to 2 inches 

 long (Fig. 145). Start the knife just above the center and 

 cut toward the center and through it, working the knife down- 

 ward against the grain to prevent splitting and making an in- 

 cision about 1% inches deep. This action prepares the tongue. 



Preparing the Cion. Take the cion, selected and kept as 

 for cleft grafting, and sever a piece bearing a number of buds 

 and usually 4 to 6 inches long. Make a long, even sloping cut 

 just as in case of the stock, and complete the tongue in the 



