HOW TO BUD AND GRAFT. 



39 



cut, to scratch the line of the latter on the scion, and then make 

 a clean, smooth cut along the slope indicated. 



]S'ext, the tip of the stock must l)e cut off horizontally, and 

 a narrow slit made, nearly in the center of the sloped face of the 

 stock, doAvnwards, and another corresponding one in the slope of 

 the scion, upwards. 



The tongue or wedge-like strip, which now passes the upper 

 part of the sloped face of the scion, is not to be slipped downwards 

 in the cleft of the stock, the inner bark of both being brought 

 closely together on one side, so as to prevent all change of slipping 

 out of place in tying — and this tying must be done at once 

 tightly and neatly. 



The last named operation, in grafting as in budding, is a most 

 important item in the work, and while strips of bast matting are 

 most commonly used, we cannot too highly recommend the em- 

 ployment of strong muslin, dipped in equal parts of melted tallow 

 and beeswax. 



AVhere these waxed strips are not used however, (and some- 

 times in large stocks even where they are,) grafting clay must be 

 employed. There are several ways of preparing it : one is to beat 

 up well together three parts of stiff yellow or blue clay, or clayey 

 loam, with one part of horse dung, and a little chopped hay ; 

 another, that chiefly used by the French and Dutch, is to mix one 

 half fresh cow dung with one half fresh loam. 



But whether waxed strips, bast matting or grafting clay are 

 used, every part of the wounds of stock and scion must be well 

 and thoroughly covered, as the whole end and purpose of both 

 clay and strips is to prevent air, rain and light from penetrating 

 to the wounded parts. 



The French method of grafting differs from ours, Avhich is' 

 copied from the English, inasmuch as, no matter how large the 

 stock may be, they never cut off more than the width of the 

 scion; and as their nation excels the English as gardeners, it 

 would, we think, be well to take the hint thus thrown out. A true 

 born Johnny Bull scorns to accept a lesson from the despised and 

 hated Johnny Crapaud, but not so his old time friend and ally, 

 Uncle Sam ; so, let us. Uncle Sam's children, take heed and profit. 



