The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1881-03-23
Grating the Grape.

This topic states a correspondent at the
Rural New Yorker, has been written and re-
written about by ancient and modern au-
thors until there seems bui little, if any
thing, untold; yet, perhaps, the results of
my observation and experience on the sub
iect may prove interesting to some OF your
many readers, and offer them in the hope
that they may to some extent benefit, at
least, the beginner.
There are various circumstances which
make it desirable to graft the vine; for in
stance, we may have some strong vines of a
worthless variety, and by grating them with
an an improved sort we cause them to pro-
duce fruit of greater value in much less
time and in larger quantity than we could
have obtained by replacing the old byyoung
vines of the desired variety. Again, some
of our finest varieties have either defective
foliage or feeble roots. or they may be OF
delicate constitution, and by grating them
on some of the hardy and strong-growing
sorts, we improve their condition efficiently
to enable us to grow them prohtably for
market. BY adopting this method many of
our vineyards grow to perfection, and at a
handsome profit, such varieties as Aliens
Hybrid. Rogers Hybrids. Rebecca Mont
gomery, etc.
There are several methods of grating in
practice, viz. splice-grafting marching.
cleft-grafting, etc, the last being more gen
orally in use, not however, on account of its
superior merit, | presume, but because ii is
the one form most commonly followed in
grating fruit trees. The vine is generally
considered to be far more difficult to graft
than most other fruits, and Justly so from
the fact that the bark is very thin and the
grain of the wood usually more or less
crooked and gnarled, making it difficult 10
form a perfect-fitting joint. Vines of me-
dunn size make the most desirable stocks,
but those of large size may be successfully
grated If they are vigorous and healthy.
TO perform the operation. l remove the
earth surrounding the crown of the vine
down TO the roots, and select that portion
of the stock below ground which appear.
straightest in the grain of the wood; saw
off the top within three or four inches OF
the roots, and, having split the stock
through the center, select for the coin a
piece OF the desired variety of medium size
short-jointed, with well-ripened wood, con.
sisting OF TWO buds; If the wood should be
long jointed, then one bud only should be
used. Beginning just below the bud, pare
the coin 10 the shape of a rather long slim
wedge, 10 fit the cleft in the stock, and in
sert it by opening the cleft with wedge oil
chisel and press it down firmly, being care
full to observe that the bark of the stock and
that of the coin match and cross each other
slightly, in order that the coin may catch
the rising sap, and thus sustain it till the
union is complete. If the stock is small
and does not hold the coin firmly in place
| ii should be secured by wrapping firmly
with cord or wire. If the latter is used, car,
must be taken that it is removed abou
August 1, or after il has made five or 81,
feet of growth, otherwise il would eyentu
ally cut of the coin.
After the operation is completed mound
of earth about three feet in diameter, suffi
Gently high to cover all except the top
should be thrown around the cion, which
should be protected on the sunny side BY
half-inverted flower-pot or board until i
has formed union and made some two OF
three inches OF growth, when il should b.
gradually inuered to the sun, and after
few days the protection may be entirely re
moved. Numerous suckers or sprouts will