Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-10-20
Process OF Grating.

TURBEvILLE, HALIFAX CO., VA.
To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
Please describe the process of grating
fruif-trees.
State the best season for grating; the
best thing TO graft on; the kind of wax
to use. and how long before transplant
ing. and oblige, w. {. IL.
We suppose our correspondent means
root-grafting, the most common sort.
The tools consist, first. Of a sharp,
thin-bladed knife. Of which the best Is
made from the blade of an old scythe,
ground to Its proper form on a grind
stone; second. a bench or table. placed
in front OF a light window, and on which
the work is done: third, an apron, worn
by the CRATER, the two lower corners
being hooked fast to two sharp nails on
the near edge of the table Tor holding
the scions while cutting them; fourth,
strips Of waxed paper about an inch
wide. made by brushing over sheets OF
thing tough paper. a melted, well-stirred
mixture of four parts of rosin. two Of
tallow, and one of beeswax: and then cut
into strips when precisely at a proper
means Of q knife, cutting upon a smooth
board a sufficient number of these for
immediate use should be hung near
enough to the stove which heats the
room 20 keep the wax upon them about
the consistence of butter on a summer
day. so as to fit and adhere to the grated
root without melting and running.
f~t, Dc, % lxA
CRAFTS from the shoots or scions. 1t Is
performed by holding the scion in the
left hand, the thicker end pointing to-
wards the right hand. which holds the
knife. Three strokes Of the knife are
required to cut and prepare each graft
and a rapid and skilful operator has
done 112 in the manner described In five
minutes. Each shoot is thus cut up
while yet held in the left hand, and the
CRAFTS. as fast as they are severed. drop
into the cavity of the apron, already de-
scribed. The second operation is setting
these CRAFTS into the roots. Each root
is held in the left hand, precisely as the
scion has been. and the three cuts are
given 1t to prepare 1t for the graft. The
gratis having been placed directly under
the operators fingers, and in the right
position. each one Is successfully taken
and firmly fitted to the prepared root
and as soon as this Is done. another cut
of the knife. three inches lower down
the root, sewers II. and the root-graft
is finished. and drops of obliquely on the
table. Another sloping cut on the same
root, and slit for the tongue are quick
ly made. and another graft picked up
and inserted, the root being held all the
while In the left hand until worked up
The great point is to perform much with
little handling. A single root will some
times make but one graft, but more COM
monty two or three. and sometimes more
Each portion OF root should be about
three inches long. and the graft about
fve inches.
Root-grafting may be performed at any
time during winter The roots. when
taken up In the autumn. should be well
washed, the tops cut or. and the roots
packed In boxes. with alternate layers
Of damp moss. Thrifty, one-year roots
are better and more easily worked than
two-year roots. sile-roots. or branches.
should never be used. The scions may
be kept In the same way. This Is bet
ter than packing them In sand. which
imparts q grit to them and dulls the
knife.
They should be set out In spring as
soon as the soil 10 sufficiently dry and
there ~ no further danger Of its freezing
severely. Special pains should be taken
to pack the earth well about Thorn. The
tips Of the gratis should project about
half an inch above tho surface.
II e. ciflcult 10 give a novice a clear