Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1913-04-04
GRATING EXPLAINED By
RiGMEv OF STATE COLLEGE
Different Conditions Here and at the
Nurseries Make Subject Of
Great Interest

u press bulletin on graftingi" have
been asked frequently. Then the con-
ditions under which trees are grown
in this State are quite different from
those at the nurseries from which the
trees are purchased. For this rca-
son il is quite important that the per-
petuation of some of the more prom
Using trees be given due considera-
ton.
Only the cleft and whip graft will
he described. Both of these types
may be used for root grating and
for top working. and the whip graft
may also be used in making the whole
root and the piece root CRAFTS.
The stock is the piece of root, the
whole root or the tree which is to be
top worked; or il is the part bearing
the root portion of the new plant.
This stock may be obtained from the
nursery. roots about the size of u lead
pencil may be taken from some of
the trees in the orchard or seed NAV
be planted and one year-ol dscedlings
grown. Northern Spy stocks should
be used whenever they can be had.
for they resist the wolly aphis. Where
small whole roots or piece roots are
to be used they may be collected in
the fall and stored in some conven-
lent, sandy place.
The scions are pieces of branches
or twigs, four or five inches long.
that are made from the one year-old
wood of the tree to be propagated.
The scions should not be from the
terminal end of the twig, as the buds
on this uortion of the twig are not
always well developed.
For cleft grating the stock should
be at least five eighths of an inch in
diameter, but not over two inches. To
work well. To make this graft saw
the stock off Just little below where
the soil comes on it, making a smooth
cut. Drive big heavy knife, one
made for the purpose. into the end
of the stock, so rs to make a cut
not q Split-about two inches deep.
Then with two long sloping cuts each.
make the ends of two scions wedge
shaped, having one edge thinner than
the other and the wedge shaped por-
tons about an inch and a quarter
long. Pry the cleft, or cut in the
stock open and insert the scions 81
that their thin edges are toward the
pith OF the stock. in order that the
cambium-the portion iuts under the
bark-of the stock will come in con
tact with that of the scion. The cam
biums are the only places that can
unite. Cover all cut portions well
with grating wax and bury in a
moist. sandy place until spring. when
they should be taken up and set III
some place where they will receive
the best of cultivation.
The whip graft, whether for piece
root, whole root or for top working,
is made by cutting the scion and
stock off with one long sloping cut
each. This cut should be about an
inch long. perfectly straight and
smooth. so that the scion and stock
will ct together throughout the cut
portions. Next, holding the knife
in IA cutting position in one hand. the
scion or stock in the other, place the
thumb of the hand holding the knife
against the scion or stock and with
u drawing motion make a cut a. il
10 split the scion or stock. about hall
an inch deep and parallel to the
scion or stock. This cut should moi
follow the pith of the scion or stock.
but should be little nearer the tlp
end or the toe, so that the scion and
stock will fit together better. If the
work is done carefully the scion will
fit into the stocks snugly, leaving no
air spaces between them. The whip
graft should be wrapped well with
waxed cord and treated the same
as the cleft graft. The whole root
and piece root CRAFTS may be made
any time during the winter and stored
in moist sand until spring; but do not
have the sand wet. The apple and
pear are the fruit trees generally
grated instead of being budded.
If the trees are TO be top worked
in the spring, the scions should be
taken in the winter and stored in
moist sand and the work done about
the time the leaves are starting. If
done in the late summer, the scions
should be taken from well ripened
wood and worked Immediately; but
work at the experiment station indl-
Gates that it is better to do the work
in the spring, as the scions dry out
badly in the winter and many die on
this account.-Joseph W. Rigney,
Assistant in Horticulture.