GRAFTING PREPARATIONS 



387 



The process may be repeated on the old plants from time 

 to time. 



8. Grafting Preparations. Several kinds of grafting wax 

 are used in covering the grafts. Most of these waxes soften 

 with heat, the soft wax becoming pliable at the temperature 

 of the hand. Many formulas substitute ounces or pounds for 

 parts, depending on the quantity to be made. 



Formula for Soft Wax 



Resin (finely broken) 4 parts 



Beeswax 2 parts 



Tallow 1 part 



Melt the tallow first, then add beeswax, and when this is 

 melted, add the resin. Boil slowly for 30 minutes with occa- 

 sional stirring; then pour the melted wax into cold water. 

 Grease the hands, remove the wax, and work it by pulling it 

 until it becomes straw colored and smooth grained. Twist in 

 skeins and wrap in oiled paper. It may be kept for long 

 periods. Grease the hands before applying the wax. 



A brush wax, which does away with the inconvenience of 

 handling the sticky hand wax, is made as follows: 



Brush Wax 



Beeswax 1 part 



Resin 5 parts 



Raw linseed oil part 



Lampblack or powdered charcoal Vo part 



Melt the beeswax, add and melt the resin, then add the 

 linseed oil. Remove the mixture from the fire and stir in the 

 lampblack a little at a time, to avoid boiling over. 



As soon as cooking is completed, the wax may be partially 

 cooled to a point where it flows slowly but easily and can then 

 be used at once. The orchardist should make up a supply in 

 advance, however, pouring the wax into shallow pans and 



