HORTICULTURAL JOURNAL. 77 
scions, at a period, earlier than the commencement of the circulation of the 
sap in the stock. 
I will, however furnisli a brief detail of the whole course I pursue, though 
I apprehend that most of your experienced cultivators, in the eastern and 
middle states, will look upon its publication as superfluous, and like " carry- 
ing coals to New Castle." 
To those whose attention has not been directed specially to the subject, 
it may afibrd some instruction. 
In the latitude of Cleveland, it is important that the scions be cut on 
or before the 20th of February. They should be immediately packed 
among saw dust or decayed wood from the forests, of a medium degree of 
moisture, and be placed in a box or barrel in the cellar, pit, or cold frame, 
where the temperature is very little above the freezing point. The first 
mild day, after that period, is the best time to commence the operation of 
engrafting. A foot of snow covering the ground, should not be considered 
as any obstacle in the way. The operation should never be delayed beyond 
the middle of March. If it be postponed till April or May, the time when 
we usually engraft apples and pears, not one scion in twenty will succeed. 
No ill effects will be experienced though heavy snow storms and severe 
cold weather follow their insertion. 
The most expeditious and also a very successful method, is the splice, 
whip, or tongue-grafting, which is perfectly understood by nurserymen. 
For an instrument with which to perform it, a thin bladed shoe knife is 
preferable to all others. It must be of a high temper which will admit of 
its being honed and strapped to a keen edge. By its aid a clean tongue 
can be raised on the slopes, both of the stock, without lacerating or 
splintering their bark and wood ; a result which will not occur if almost any 
other form of a knife be employed. 
Some care is necessary to adjust the tongues, one within the other, and 
to bring the surfaces of the bark of the stock and scion in exact opposition. 
When accomplished, they may be secured by wrapping them firmly, and so 
as to exclude air and water from their cut surfaces. The best material for 
this purpose is some old garment, of tolerable fine texture, formed of 
domestic cotton, dipped in melted grafting wax, and when cold, laid upon a 
smooth board and cut into strips, of suitable length and breadth ; such old 
cloth will gradually give way with the expansion of the tree, while, if new 
cloth be used, the folds investing the graft will require to be cut through, 
down to the bark, in the months of May or June, to prevent ligation. This 
