94 
GARDENING IN THE SOUTHWEST 
GRAFTING AND BUDDING 
Grafting and budding both mean the union of the growing tis¬ 
sues of two plants. Grafting is the insertion of a twig bearing one 
or more buds of one plant into the growing wood of the other. 
Budding is the insertion of a single bud beneath the bark. 
The scion is the part which is inserted into the stock or rooted 
portion, which supplies food for the scion. Although the bark 
and wood tissues of the scion and the stock are knit together, each 
retains its identifying characteristics. 
The chief reasons for grafting are to perpetuate certain varieties, 
and to enable certain plants to live in different soil or under condi¬ 
tions otherwise unfavorable to them. The stock is made to support 
an entirely different flower or fruit from that which the scion pro¬ 
duces after it has grown. 
Grafting should be done in the Spring after the sap begins to 
rise and is successful only in plants which form a layer of bark 
covering the wood. It is necessary that the cambium layer, or that 
Time ^ ssue lying between bark and wood of both scion and stock, be in 
contact . 
Seedlings may be grafted, thus propagating certain kinds of 
ornamental trees and shrubs; young trees (such as oranges or other 
fruits) and the trunk and branches of older trees, if the choice of 
stock is always made from closely related families. Thus Apples, 
Pears, and Quinces will unite as will Flowering Quince, Hawthorn 
and Photinia. Many Conifers also, such as Arbor Vitae, Juniper 
and Cypress may be grafted. 
After the graft is made, it should be waxed with grafting wax 
to prevent evaporation. It may be applied at each graft, either by 
hand or by means of strips of cloth dipped in the wax and tied 
tightly about the union. This process is a delicate one, requiring 
accuracy of touch and much practice; and a great deal can be 
learned from the books and nurserymen. 
Leda Stimson Doolittle 
Marion Doolittle Potts 
