GRAFTING.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 9, 26 August 1908, Page 40

GRAFTING.

There are many amateurs who like to try their hand at grafting fruit trees. It is an extremely interesting and useful operation, and with the aid of a few illustrations we hope to make the subject understandable. The object of grafting, from a nurseryman's point of view, i* to increase his stock of trees of the particular kinds desired. Ama teurs. as a rule, are desirous of cutting down some trees which have not l»een

fruiting well, or of doing away with some variety which is not wanted, and replacing it with some more desirable kind. There are several inodes of grafting suitable for different subjects, but the object is the same always, namely, the union of the scion, or gratt twig, with the stock, or root tree, and the success of the operation depends upon the growing together of the tissue of both. Therefore it will be understood that the tissue between the bark and the wood in both scion and stock should be brought exactly together, and fit closely. The stocks intended for operating on should be cut back some time before inserting the scions, and the scions should be cut from the tree some time before using. They can be heeled in the ground, will keep for a considerable period, and should only be used in dormant state; wood of the previous year’s growth should be used. If scions with a small piece of two year old wood are available they should be selected. Flower buds should not be chosen. Scions should not have more than three or four buds. Although one bud is sufficient, the larger number is generally preferred. The proper time for grafting, which varies with the season and the locality, is whenever the sap begins to circulate in the stock early in spring. There are a large number of different modes of grafting, but we only propose giving detail- of those we consider most likely to lie of service to our readers. Cleft Grafting (tig. ’I is well adapted for large stocks, and is tile one generally employed for this purpose. Two scions are usually inserted. By so doing you have a double chance of success, and the stock heals up in much shorter time. The opening in the stock can be made with a cleaver and mallet. Be careful not to loosen the bark, and the incision should lie about two inches deep. A wedge is then driven into this incision to allow the scions to be fitted in their place. They are pushed down till the first bud is near the base of the stock. See that the scion tits tightly its full length, then withdraw your wedge and all that remains to be done is to cover with grafting wax or clay. Crown Grafting is the method usually employed on limbs of large trees; it is somewhat similar to cleft grafting, and is explained in fig. 2. Cut the bark about three inches long on uie stock side with a sharp knife, then remove part of the wood until you obtain a smooth sur-

face. The scion should be slia|>ed to fit in exactly, leaving a shoulder (see illustration) to project anil rest on the top of the stock. It is essential the bark should join perfectly in both scion and stock. When the bark of the stock peels readily, another mode is sometimes practised called bark grafting. Instead of cutting the bark of the stock, the scion is cut very thin, an I pressed down between the bark, and the wood. Three or four scions may Is* inserted in one limb, and should be tightly bandaged and waxed. If the stock to be grafted is about the

same size as the scions, what is known as whip or tongue grafting, is a suitable mode. See fig. 3. Remove a portion of the top from the stock at the joint where it was cut. then make a slit in the bark of the stock in an upward direction. This slit must be made of the same size as the scion so that thev will fit perfectly. Make a slit, or tongue, about half-wav down the cut surface of the stock in a downward direction. and a corresponding slit on the scion, and fit the scion into the stock. Rind the graft round with raffia, or calico strips firmk. but not too tightly. Then apnb- "rafting or grafting wax nv»r th" t' ing to evpbide moisture. The cojprfnrl cemns should possess from four tn six buds each, th" middle portion of n shoot being consid"red best. Th" last method t" " hich we refer is known as saddle-grafting (see fig. 4). so termed because the scion or graft fits on th" stock like a saddle on a horse, and it is not a difficult matter to have the bark of th" scion and stock to fit on both sides securing a complete union. Young stocks are verv suitable for saddle grafting. Fig. 1 shows a stock before it is prepared, and fig. 2 shows it duly prepared to receive, the graft. Fig. 3 shows ♦he scion before it is prepared, and fig. 4. as it appears when prepared. Fig. 5 shows the ="ion A fitted to the stock B. and now all that is reo Hired is to tie it round "ifh raffia or calico to keep the respective barks of scion and stock a close fit: then comnl"te the work bv nutting on wav. Where grafting clav used, it will be necessary to examine 1h" halls for cracks, as air must b" evrdnded from the interior. Tt is a good plan to wrap «ome fresh Sphagnum moss round the clav balls, and to keep the moss in a damp condition. Grafting wax is generally sold bv the seedsmen in small tins readv for use. Grafting wax can be made with four parts resin, two narts beeswax, one part tallow. Grafting clav consists of twothirds clav. one-third cow dung, with some plaster hair added to prevent cracking. Tt should be thoroughly mixed for a couple of da vs before using. For tving. old calico cut into strips may bo used. VERONICA. .JC J* IN THE DAYS OF OLD. Fruit was very rare in England in the reign of King Henry VTT. Apples were then not less than one or two shillings each: a red rose, two shillings-, and a man and woman received eight shillings and fourpenee for a small quantity of strawberries. Cabbage, carrots, etc., were introduced about the year 1547. Previous to this period. Queen Catharine of Arragon. first consort of Henry VIII., when

she wanted a salad, was compelled to send to Holland or Flanders on purpose. About this time, apricots, gooseberries, pippins, and artichokes were first cultivated. The currant tree came from Zante, and was planted in England, A.D. 1533. Cos lettuces were brought from the island of Cos, near Rhodes, in the Mediterranean. The pear, the peach, the apricot, ami the quince were respectively brought into Europe from Epirus, Carthage. Armenia. and Syria, and by degrees into England. Cherries are of very ancient date with us. being conveyed into Britain from Rome. A-D. 55. Melons were originally brought from Armenia.