AND CITY BEAUTIFUL 
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fruit borne on grafted trees is the same variety as 
that from which the scion is taken.) Cleft grafting is 
often practiced to obtain results from seedlings in the 
shortest possible time. It is also used to change the fruit 
upon any tree to a more desirable variety. It is not as 
difficult to graft as many believe. A careful boy of ten 
years often has as good results as an experienced gardener. 
ROOT GRAFTING 
Root grafting, as the name implies, is the placing of 
a scion of the desired variety upon the roots of some other. 
Apple or pear seedlings one or two years old furnish good 
stocks. Fruit trees and many varieties of ornamental 
trees, shrubs and roses are root grafted. The scions can 
often be gathered. They should be the short sprouts of 
the previous year’s growth. They are best selected from 
thrifty trees on or near the ends of fully exposed branches. 
In selecting scions avoid long sap-sprouts with long spaces 
between the buds or nodes. They may be gathered at any 
time when not frozen, after the leaves drop until the buds 
swell in the spring. If not used immediately, they should 
be kept covered with damp moss in a cool moist place to 
keep them fresh and plump. Different varieties should 
always be marked. The stocks or roots may be stored in 
the same manner and used at any time in winter. A 
common shoe knife which may be purchased for ten or 
fifteen cents makes an excellent knife for root grafting 
when kept sharp. The stock and scion must be kept in 
place until they unite. For this purpose grafting cloth 
is perhaps the best. It is easily made as follows : 
For grafting cloth melt together over a slow fire four 
parts of unbleached resin and one part of beef tallow or raw 
linseed oil. Spread this evenly over cotton cloth with a 
brush or stick. The cloth should be tacked over a board 
or box and kept warm so the mixture will spread evenly. 
When cool roll and tie up in a waxed or oiled paper. Keep 
in a cool moist place until needed. When used, it should 
be cut in strips about one-fourth inch wide. There are 
