SCIONS FOR GRAFTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20324, 3 August 1929, Page 5 (Supplement)

SCIONS FOR GRAFTING.

QUESTION OF SUITABILITY.

As the present and succeeding months is the time for budding most varieties of fruit trees, no time should be lost in securing tho most suitablo scions for the purpose. The scions should bo taken off while the trees are practically dormant, each variety being named and heeled in the soil in a cool place until required for use. By doing this tho grafts aro kept comparatively dormant until tho timo of grafting. Experience has proved that the greatest success in grafting is attained when the stock is in udvanco of the

scion, the union at this time being quicker and more complete In selecting the scions chooso only clean, healthy, well-ripened shoots of tho previous season's growth. Trees that have been marked out with tho view of being renewed by re-grafting should bo headed back to within about 6in. of their base, according to the size and strength of the branches.

Many orchards have trees growing that are of littlo valuo to the grower, and that could, by re-grafting, be renewed with more profitable kinds. Even old trees, providing they aro reasonably healthy, may bo brought into a profitahlo condition by re-grafting and after cultivation. BEST TIME FOR WORK. The best time for grafting varies according to the varieties to bo, worked. The first to require nttention are peaches, nectarines, apricots, cherries and plums, particularly the Japanese varieties, while apples and pears can bo successfully worked until well into next month.

Grafting itself is a simple operation, hut the success attained depends in a very great measure upon the varieties to he worked. With peaches and most other stone fruits, for instance, tho same suecuess is seldom, if ever attained by grafting as with apples, pears and other pip fruits. Willi stone fruits, however, if tho trees are unfruitful or of little value to the grower, little timo is lost by heading the trees back, and trying to i"""w ♦'•"ni by grafting, for if tho grafls fail plenty of new growth will bo made wiring tne spring and early summer to provide shoots for budding during tho summer. Isut oven though budding is tho most successful method of renewing most varieties of c *one flirts, the young growths necessary for this can only be obtained by heading back the trees, so that it is always worth whilo inserting some grafts. METHODS OF GRAFTING. Tho best method of grafting will depend upon the size of tho branches to be worked. With largo slocks when tho branches are thick, rind-grafting is tho simplest and best, but can only be successfully performed when the sap is active and when tho bark can be easily lifted for tho insertion of the graft. In rind-grafting a smooth, sloping cut is made iu tho scion. A slit is then made in tho mado at tho top of tho stock and (ho bark slightly and carefully raised. Tf the branches are large, two or threo grafts may bo inserted on caclw for if more take than is required to form a good tree, it is an easy matter to remove them. As soon as tho grafts aro put on they must be securely tied, and the wound soaled over with grafting wax or prepared clay, tho object being to exclude the air and moisture until the union in complct®.