Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1883-02-14
Every One Can Graft.

iSt SUCCESSFUL SfatinS Wa
done at the age of nine years. "A
home We had an old orchard tha
seemed to be past its period of useful
ness. and what apples it did bear wer,
OF inferior sorts. 1t was question
whether TO cut down the trees, or trI
and rejuvenate them by the application
of an abundance of manure, well stirred
into the soil, and by grating the ole
limbs with new and superior varietie.
of fruit. 1t was concluded to see what
vlrture there was in manure and ciops
and this gave rs an opportunity to watch
the process of grating. Before the jot
was finished we had learned the ant OF
cutting a cion, maxing cleft, applying
the wax, etc. Later in the season il
was source of much qualification to
see the young graft We had put in.
growing along with those set by mas
ter-hand. This Renaissance of youth
Is given as proof that grating is not
a monopoly of gifted minds, or an art
that can only be acquired by the few.
With the ordinary amount of ''gumpti3n'
to begin with, followed by careful
teaching for only . short time, almost
any one can graft successfully. Grating
is simply planting cutting of one vari-
ty III the wood of another, instead of in
the soil. 1t is essential that the grow
Ing layer of the ci0n and stock come in
close contact, and be so held until they
grow together. Now is the time to get
the cions. They may be bought at
most nurseries, and great care should
be taken TO get only the best varieties.
Ii cut at home, be 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
in boxes with damp sawdust or moss,
and kept IN cool place until. used. a
fine saw, two good knives, one strong
and heavy, the other smaller, with a
keen edge; hardwood wedge, six
inches long and half an incn thick, and
a small mallet are the Implements used
in grating. The wax may be easily
made by melting together, beeswax 6
or, rosin and tallow OF. each. over a
moderate fire, stirring gradually until
oil rar r,,ni-nl p~fl.s Nsxx 1,,l, I,
be formed from old cotton stuff made
thin 10y wear, and torn into strips two
inches wide. Wind the strips upon
stick and dip them INTO the melted wax;
when the cloth is thoroughly penetrated
by the wax, remove, let drip, and put
away from dust ready for use. Grating
should be done as soon as the buds be-
gin to swell. Having determined upon
the place for the graft, saw off the
branch, smooth the cut surface and
make a cleft with the knife and mallet
Cut the cion from the twig, leaving two
or three buds upon the piece, and
sharpen the lower end into wedge.
Open tine cleft with tie knife and place
the cien in carefully SO that the lower
bud comes at the top of the cleft. The
inner bark, or growing layer, of the
cicn and the stock should touch as
much as possible. Ii the grated branch
is small. single c;on Is enough, other
wise, put in one on each side. Unroll
enough waxed cloth to cover the wound
of both stock and cions, and press it on
and closely. The quick ap-
plication of this protection Is only a
matter of practice. 1t is well for be-
oirners to start worthless limbs before
doing regular grating in the orchard.
If possible find some one IN the neigh
borhood familiar with the process and
learn the art from him. The general
principles may be obtained from printed
but the success of the work
will del end upon the knack, and that
is only acquned in the orchard.