94 
FLORICULTURAL NOTICES. 
protection has also to be afforded, and, of course, in proportion to the extent of 
surface occupied. 
Again, grafting is more economical. It requires less time and labour in its 
preparatory procedure, in effectuation, and in subsequent attention. It is per- 
formed with far less injury to the parent plant, whether from inappropriate treat- 
ment, from distortion, or from actual amputation ; since, in the latter point, a 
much smaller portion of a branch is requisite, and frequently a mere bud. Where 
heat is required, (and this is generally necessary,) a less amount of it will suffice, 
as the plants may be stowed in a much more limited area. 
Lastly, the method here advocated is more efficient. Grafting, according to 
the plan yet to be detailed, is very rarely unsuccessful. This may be attributed to 
the greater precision with which the operator is enabled to fix the scion in its 
proper position, and the certainty of its maintaining that position undisturbed. 
Besides, when a failure occurs, nothing is lost or injured but the mere scion ; the 
parent plant being wholly unaffected, because entirely unconnected with the 
operation. 
Having thus shown the superiority of this system, we shall briefly state the 
manner in which it is effected, and the plants to which it is applicable. Stocks of 
the more common species of the genus are always kept in readiness for the 
purpose, and these are obtained either by germinating seeds, or striking cuttings. 
They may be of any desired height ; but those whose stems are rather less than a 
quarter of an inch in diameter, are the most appropriate, and they should be 
reduced to within five or six inches of their base. In some cases, where it is 
desirable to conceal the union, they may be decapitated to about an inch from the 
ground, and the point of junction can be concealed beneath the soil, after it is 
properly established. Young plants are decidedly preferable for stocks, as the two 
surfaces will sooner unite if their texture and the condition of their functions are 
congenial. 
It appears to be almost essential to the success of the operation that the scion 
should be a terminal one ; i. e., taken from the extremity of a shoot, so that its 
inner substance may not be exposed to the influence of the atmosphere in a defence- 
less state. Whether it is better to insert the graft in the side or on the summit of 
the stock, must be decided by the nature of the former. If only a bud, it must 
necessarily be placed in the side, as in the ordinary case of budding, from which 
this process differs only in the time of its performance, the circumstances attending 
it, and the external application of a composition which we shall presently describe. 
The buds, however, should be placed as near as possible to the extremity of the 
stock. Budding of this description may be effected at any time, although the 
spring season is undoubtedly the best. It is only practised w^ith very scarce 
plants, and they are immediately placed in a gentle heat, in which situation they 
soon make satisfactory progress. 
Where terminal shoots can be procured, be they ever so short, they should always 
