CHAP. IV. J 
GRAFTING. 
107 
the graft has taken, and has thrown out a 
sufficient number of leaves to carry on the 
elaboration of the sap, all the branches of the 
original plant above the graft are cut away 
to strengthen the inarched one. 
Grafting clay and grafting wax have been 
so frequently mentioned in the various ope¬ 
rations of grafting and budding, that it 
seems necessary to say a few words on their 
composition. Common grafting clay is made 
with any kind of stiff clay mixed with a 
fourth part of fresh horse-dung free from 
litter, and a portion of cut hay; a little 
water is sprinkled on the mass, and the 
whole is beaten several times a day for a 
week together, till the ingredients are tho¬ 
roughly amalgamated. The common French 
grafting clay, or Onguent de Ste Fiacre, is 
composed of equal parts of stiff clay and 
cow - dung; but a superior kind, recom¬ 
mended by M. De Candolle, is composed of 
one pound of cow-dung, half a pound of 
pitch, and half a pound of yellow wax. 
Grafting wax is generally made of equal 
parts of turpentine, bees’-wax, and resin, 
with a little tallow, melted together, and 
