The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1885-03-13
FARM, GARDEN AND HOUSEHOLD.
Grating Crane vines.

Much has been written and variou.
have been the theories and modes oil
practice advocated by those who have
from time to time enlightened the public
upon this subject. During the past
thirty years have experimental pretty
largely in nearly all the methods ! have
seen recommended; and though l had
some measure of success in most of them,
l have invariably had the best results
from grating in early spring, ut the time
when the first indications of the moving
sap could be discovered and before the
swelling of the buds or the great flow of
sap had commenced.
have grated in the fall; also during
mild weather in winter also late in the
spring, after the leaves have partially de-
veloped. | have also sometimes grated
successfully during the great flow Of sap
or bleeding of the vine, but have found
none of these periods so favorable as that
OF the early spring, above indicated
1t is also very necessary to work quick
ly and accurately, using very keen,
thin bladed knife, and fitting the graft
to the stock with the most perfect pre-
cision. Health and well-ripened wood
for the graft is also indispensable.
The best size for general use is about
that of a common lead pencil, though |
have often used wood no larger than a
knitting-ncedle. l have found it quite
necessary that the graft should lie below
the ground, or, if this is impracticable,
as near the ground as possible, afterward
raising a mound of earth around the
graft until union is formed A graft
may be also inserted in the end of a
branch which can be conveniently Law
cred, burying the grafted.portion beneath
the surface.
In grating large stocks it is better to
take out a small, thin wedge, bcveled in
the centre and terminating in a point
below. Then cut the graft of the same
form, little thicker than the wedge re-
moved, so that when removed it shall fit
as accurately as possible. A better fit
may be obtained in large stocks If the
cleft be opened little by thin chisel
or similar instrument which, upon re-
moval after the graft is set in place al
lows the stock to close upon it with con-
siderable force.
a ligature of strong brass mating, or,
in case this is not at hand, of flax or
hemp Irvine, should be bound tightly
about the stock and the parts above the
graft covered with clay about the con-
sistency of soft putty. Then earth up
to the bud upon the graft; and if there
is danger of freezing weather, it is we'll
to cover the whole graft with sand or
light earth, an inch or two above the
bud.
l have found little difference in re-
suits, whatever stock was used. | have
grated upon the wild grape of our for
ests, upol nearly all the older cultivated
kinds, and have also, by way of expert
mcnt, worked the foreign varieties upon
our natives and the natives upon the for
eign with equal success. If any differ
ence has occurred worthy of notice it
has been against Clinton as a stock; for
! have failed more frequently in my eff
forts to graft upon that variety than any
other.
Sometimes when CRAFTS have been slow
and weak in starting, | have found
shading from the direct rays of the sun
and occasional watering in dry weather
beneficial. Fruit Hecorlcr.