Grafting (Continued).

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 202, 28 August 1886, Page 4

Grafting (Continued).

Slip grafting im another method that may bo used when the stocks art so crossgrained or tough that they will not split with a smooth edge. It may be also used in connection with cleft - grafting, Where limbs three inches in diameter must be cut under this system. Tho bark is slit and slightly raised The scion is cut half off square, and the reroainiog portion ia then cut slanting tojvardß the bark to "a point, This part is inserted into the opening in fjj 9 bark, and crowded dGwn till the squire part rests on tho end of the stock. Slip grafting is also used when stocks only» littlo larger than the scions are grafted. In this the stock is split, and the scioh whittled] wedge shaped and inserted and crowed down firmly, and the Whole wound with waxed cloth, or bound with aetHpof cloth and covered with wai or clay. Groove grafting, like'slip, is also extensively used when the stocks cannot be efooothly split. This system iamuchaempl'oyed in America for grafting old Stocks of the grapo vine, etc. The gieove is cut with a fine saw by taking oiit a V shaped piece, and _ghtly paring the edges of tho bark with a ih'arp knife si as to leave them smooth. The scion ia whittled to fit the shape, and asinall section of the scfon is made of such a siz« that when driven into the groove Jjy a few taps with a small mallet ,o_ stick, it will fit tightly when Ytfce cambium layer, are in contact, '"if the stock is large, and it would .suit tho purpose of tho operator, two br^more scions may bo used on each stock, putting them round the stock: alao tie and clay Immediately after the operation.' , Bears-mouth grafting ia another method adopted in America with refractory atpeke. It has the advantage of having more of "the wood of tho scion left to resist high winds, wbich, in some positions, are very destructive to newly-applied graft- In this, tho stock is sawed in two ,pUeei, nearly as wide apart aa the sewn is thick, and an inch and a - half down the side. This piece is then nicely cut out with a chisel or a napiqwbladed knife. The small scion is pligLtly scarped on the side, and cut half off with a slant that will fit in the kerf. Tho remain, ing portion is then cut to a point with a long taper. The bark of the stock is thenilit below the kerf, and the point of the scion inserted, and pushed down under it until tho slanting portion of tbe scion is crowded ddten into the bear's mouth, .Then tie and clay, By the above method there is much more woodjleft for tying, so that they caDjbempre firmly held in position.. Tho system should only be used on large trees which are yery much exposed to high winds. ■ i '~..;

Kitchen Gardoc.

The sun is beginning to have more power. When by chance a fine day occurs the atmosphere is considerably warmer, showing its effects by a considerable increase in'the growth. All vegetables for early crop will need to be sown now, as soon as the state of the soil will allow. The maincrbnof onions should be sown this month if possible. Peas: Continue the fortnightly sowings for succession : always cho6se;,'thß dwarf varieties if it is hard to;procure stock. Make another small sowing ol carrots, turnips, and parsnips. Prick out a fow hiore lettuces. Sow a fr6_ patch of seed, tie up •- a few ' thore of the advanced plants for blanchi-gi Sow. fortnightly mustard, cress,'1 and radishes in small patches. Continue planting out cabbages and cauliflowers, earth'up those that are growing, sow another patoh for later spring planting. Plant out another row or ao of early potatoes, choosing tho warmest section of the gardeoi Rhubarb which was lifted in the beginning of winter should now bo replanted. : Hike a large hole in the groiindi put ab(Jata barrow-load of well-rotted manure in tsacli hole, cover with soil, and plant the'_u> barb on this. A few seeds of tomatoes, cucumbers, marrows, and pumpkins should bo sown in pots now and placed under glass so aa to havo a few ready for planting Out early. Stir the surface soil between'ihe rows of growing vegetables, look well after seeds of all vegetables just coming through the ground. Slugs often make sad havee with them. Dust with lime frequently to keep them under. Thin out all superfluous plants as soon as they attain sufficient size. Thero is nothing trrbe gained hy allowing over-crowding'iiiVths early stages of their growth. Allaebri. of spent vegetables should be cleared away to the rot heap, as these usually are the stronghold of slugs ' ~,

Flower Garden.

Many of the early spring favourites are beginning to show active growth. Roses: Continue the pruning in such a mahnor as to bring them into flower in succession. Clear away all haulm of dead or decaying winter flowering plants. Go over all tha plants on the border, reduce in size those that have grown too large. Aftbrwsrds wheel over the borders all the decayed manure you can obtain, and fork or dig it into the borders. If no manure can bo obtained give a heavy dose of: rough bones. The cuttipgs of soft-wooded plants_ that havo been struck daring the winter can now be put out in the positions they are to occupy for the summer. The earlier they are put out the better. Gladiolus : Plant out a few more bulbs. Continue sowing hardy annuals in the.qpen border or in pots, as described last week. Tender annuals should also be sownin poto and placed under glass, so as to get them well advanced for picking out as the season advancea. All seedling and tender plantin tho border will need to be carefully looked after in order to keeps slugs under, Lawn: Where a first-class sward is required, during the season careful attention must be given to the cutting and rolling from now up till the warm dry weather. If the lawn is neglected during the moist weather in tho spring, it would be almost impossible to get it in good order during tho dry season.

Greenhouse,

As tho spring advances, attention will need to bo given to the pot-nlants, repotting as required. Cinorarias and calceolarias : Continue potting, as they fill their present pota with roots. Occasionally givo liquid manure, and keep near the glass. Coloua: Strike a few cuttings. Have all dirty pots washed and placed in a dry place for future use. .Azaleas in flower, give plenty of water. Camellia, past flowering, take out of the house, and place in summer quarters. Give plenty of air on all fine sunny daya.

Camollla Show,

Last Saturday the Gardeners'.Horticultural Society held the annual winter show. There were some splendid camellia blooms exhibited, proving how well they succeed in our soils und climate; also tome good spsaimens of locally grown apples. In tha Bub-tropical fruit collection eotne fine oranges and lemons grown in the Remuera district were Btagod. For years it has been the cry that oranges, etc., succeed well here, and it was a pity that more of the growers from tho northern portion of our provincial district didn't; send down some of their collections. On an occa ion like Saturday last it was expected that the diffotont northern growers would have done their utmost to put collections before the Auckland public. We only heps that next winter more of the growers will come forward. The ;ibovo show was an entire «««- cess with the exception of the weather and that was simply terrible. ...