GRAFTING FRUIT TREES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20650, 23 August 1930, Page 5 (Supplement)

GRAFTING FRUIT TREES.

TWO METHODS EXPLAINED.

Attention must now be given to regrafting trees that are intended for ronew.il by this means. The scions if taken off as advised when pruning the trees will still be in practically a dormant condition and are more likely to succeed than when taken from the trees when the pruning is done. The best time for grafting varies according to the varieties to be worked. Poaches, nectarines, apricots and plums, particularly the Japanese varieties, are invariably the first to start into growth and should have first attention. Apples and pears are usually later in starting and can be successfully worked until well into noxt month. Peaches, nectarines, or, in fact, most stone fruits, take more readily budded than grafted, and are much more difficult to graft successfully oven by the mo3t skilled operator. Still, if the trees are unprofitable and intended for renewal, little time is

lost in making the attempt, as the heading back of the trees for regraftintf is certain to result in plenty of young growth being made which can be budded during tho summer in cases where the grafts have failed. In grafting, the number of grafts to be inserted in each branch niust be regulated by the size and thickness of tho stock. With small branches where tho scion and stock are .nearly of a uniform size, 0110 gra f t is sufficient. If, on the other hand, the branches are large, two or even three may bo inserted in each. By this means the chances of success are enhanced, while if more be taken than is required to form a shapely tree, they can easily be removed.

ALTERNATIVE METHODS. The method of grafting will depend upon the size of tho stock to be worked. Whon tho scion and stock are anyway near a uniform size whip or tongue grafting is tho best. With largo branches, however, rind grafting is the simplest and best method and makes a much better union than cleft or wedge grafting. There are, of course, other forms of grafting that can be performed with reasonable success by those experienced in this work, but as tlieso notes are intended more particularly to assist the more inexperienced, they are confined chiefly to the most simplo yet.effectivo methods. In whip or tongue grafting, a smooth upward cut is made in the stock about lin. to liin. in length, and a corresponding cut of the same length is made in the scion. Both the scion and stock must be cut so that they have a clean, smooth well-fitting surface. A slit is then made in the stock about Jin. from tho top and a corresponding one in tho scion. This when firmly inserted in the stock/ forms a tongue and grips firmly. The graft, after being inserted, must be tied securely and tho wound carefully covered with grafting wax or prepared clay. RIND GRAFTING. Rind grafting can only be successfully performed when tho sap is sufficiently active to allow the bark to be" raised without much effort. When tho branches are large and the bark thick a smooth upward cut is made in the scion, similar to that made in whip grafting, but without the tongue. A slit is then made in the top of the stock and the bark carefully raised for the insertion of the grafts. Securely tie and seal over tho wound with grafting wax or clay so as to exclude tho air and moisture. Trees that were budded during the summer should now bo headed back, neatly cutting off tho branches about half an inch abovo the bud. This cutting back is sura to result in numbers of young shoots starting to grow out below tho buds. These should be removed from time to time as they start to grow.