AND CITY BEAUTIFUL 
81 
TO plant root grafts 
Prepare the soil as for any crop by spading or plow¬ 
ing and harrowing thoroughly. Stretch a line where the 
first row is desired. Put the spade down the full length 
of the blade under the line. Move it back and forth to 
increase the opening. Remove the spade and press the 
root graft into the ground until the top is only an inch 
above the surface. Press the soil firmly about it with the 
heel. Continue to place root grafts under the line every 
four to six inches. The graft should be inserted into the 
soil well below the union to encourage roots in the scion 
and to prevent the stock from sending up “suckers.” In 
a small garden root grafts may be planted in rows two 
feet apart, but if there is space enough to cultivate with a 
horse, the rows should be three to four feet apart. Hard 
wood cuttings should be planted in the same manner. 
cleft grafting 
Cleft grafting is practiced on the tops of trees which 
are more or less matured. Wild apple trees of good size 
are often grafted so they will produce desirable fruit. It 
should be practiced on branches not over two inches in 
diameter. It is best to graft only one-third or one-half of 
a tree in a single season, so as to have enough top to 
furnish plenty of leaves. A saw, a pruning hook, a 
knife and a hammer are necessary as well as scions and 
grafting wax. With a clean, sharp saw, remove the end 
Split the stub in the center 
