The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1883-02-01
Exsfyera Can eean.

Our first successful grating was
done at the aye of nine years. AT
home" we had an old orchard that
seemed to be past its period of useful
ness, and what apples II did bear were
OF inferior sorts. Ii Was u question
whether to cut down the trees, or try
and rejuvenate them by the applica-
ton of al abundance Of manure, we'll
stirred into the soil. aud by grating
the old limbs th new and superior
varieties Of fruit, II was concluded
to see what virtue there was i'm ma
nure and ciOns, and this gave Va All
opportunity to watch the process OF
grating. Before the job was finnish
ed we had learned the art of cutting q
cion, making cleft applying the wax
etc Later in the season il was q
source Of much qualification to see
the young gratis we had put in, grow
Ing along with those Sc: by master
hand.
This "Reminiscences of youth il given
~ proof that grating is not u mo-
noPoly Of gifted minds, or Nh art that
can only he acquired 10y the few.
With the ordinary amount NJ ''guulp-
ton" To begin with, followed by care
full teaching for only shor. time. al
most any one can graft successfully.
Grating Is simply planting a cutting
Of one variety in the wood Of another.
instead of in the soil. IL is essential
that the growing layer of the cion and
stock cume in close contact. aud he So
held until they grow together. Now
Is the time TO get the ciOns. They
may be bought Mt most nurseries. and
great care should be taken to get only
the best varieties. Ii cut at home.
he equally careful to get them of the
right kind, cutting only twIgs Of last
seasons growth. Each sort should
be cut separately and tied in bundles.
labelled, aud afterwards put i'm boxes
with damp sawdust or moss, and kept
i'm n cool place until used. 4 fine saw,
two knives, one strong and heavy. the
other small with keen edge a hard
who'd wedge, six inches long ana
half All inch thick, and a small NAL
let are the implements used in graft
ing. The wax may be easily made by
melting together, beeswax six oz.
rOsin and tallow four or each, over a
moderate fire, stirring gradually until
all Is melted. Rolls of waxed cloth.
may be formed from old cotton stuff
strips two inches wide Wind the
strips upon a stick and dip them into
the melted wax when the cloth is
thoroughly penetrated by the wax. re-
move. let drip. and put away from
dust ready for use.
Grating should be done IA soon as
the buds begin to swell. Having de-
termined upon the place for the graft.
at I.x. Ia .Al, In. ..H.t
surface and make cleft with the
knife and msllet Cut the ciOn from
the twig, leaving two or three buds
upon the piece, and sharp en- the lower
end into a wedge. Open the cleft
with the knife and place the cion in
carefully 40 that the lower bud comes
at the top of the cleft. The inner
bark, OF growing layer. of the ciun
and the stock should touch "a much
a. possible. If the grated branch is
small. a single ciOn is enough, other
wise. put In one on each side. Cnroll
enough waxed cloth TO cover the
wound of both stock and cions and
press II on carefully and closely. The
quick application of this protection in
only u matter of practice. 1t is well
for beginners to start with worthless
limbs before doing regular grating in
the orchard. II possible find some
one I'm the neighborhood familiar
with the process and learn the art
from him. The general principles
may be obtained from printed direc-
tons. but the success Of the work will
depend upon the knack. and that is
only acquired i'm the orchard.-Dr.
Haisted in the american Agricnifurai-
isf f0,. FcyyuUru