The state herald., 1916-04-28

Grated Into the Trunk Of the Oh
prepared by the United States Depart
ment of Agriculture)
Bridge grating, the use of scions or
small limbs to connect the cambium
above and below large wound or gir-
died strip. may be practiced success.
fully on almost any kind of fruit tree
that can be propagated readily by
grating. 1t is used more often with
the apple than any other fruit, but
pear trees often are treated in this
way, especially in certain sections.
There seems to be no reason why the
method should not also be successful
on plums and cherries, according to
Farmers Bulletin TO, Bridge Graft.
ing Of Fruit Trees" Just issued by the
department. Peaches. however, graft
less readily and there may be some
question as to the usefulness of the
method in the case of this fruit. While
seldom used on shade or other orna.
mental trees, the author. w. F.
Fletcher, writes that this method of
grating probably would prove success
full in overcoming certain types OF In
juries to them.
Mechanical injuries which may be
remedied are usually inflicted by ami
mails. by burrowing insects. or by i'm
plements carelessly used. Various
diseases, such as pear blight. also
cause local injuries which may call for
bridge grating. The trunks of pear
trees are not infrequently completely
sirdled and killed by pear blight.
Bridge grating. II done in time. how
ever. may save the tree.
The method also is useful when
large areas OF bark have been killed by
sun scald or other troubles. The au.
thor OF the bulletin points out. how
ever. that protection OF trees against
rabbits and mice and disease is, Of
course. better than having to bridge
graft to overcome damage.
Methods Of Bridge Grating.
To be effective, bridge grating
should be done In the spring before
growth starts, though sometimes 1t can
be done after growth starts II dormant
scions for the purpose can be secured.
Prepare tho wound In the tree by
cutting away all dead tissue and thor
oughly cleansing the injured parts. II
possible. sterilize by washing with n
solution OF bichloride OF mercury, cop
per suiphate. or some other antiseptic.
The irregular edges OF the bark above
the girdled tract or wound should be
cut back into an even edge. far enough
from the wound to make certain that
healthy cambium is under the bark.
For tho grating. select scions from
wood of tho previous seasons growth.
either branches which grew the pre-
ceding season or water sprouts that
are only n year old. The scions should
be n little longer than tho space which
10 to be bridgcd. so they will arch
slightly over tho central part OF tho
wound.
Bevel the scions at each end on the
same side OF tho scion with long.
slopinE cut 10 that the wodEo.shapcd
ends thus formed will bc relatively
thin and permit their being thrust
well under tho bark without danger OF
separating Il unduly from tho cambium
at tho points Of insertion. Tho plac-
ing OF tho scions will be facilitated
II the bark at tho margins OF tho
wound In slit for a short distance at
the points whoro the ends are to be
inserted.
Importance Of Uniting csmbium,
In placing the scions II is OF tho
greatest Importance that tho eambium
OF tho scions which Ia exposed In tho
alopinr cuts at the ends be brought
into intimate contact with the cam
blum that lies under the bark nj tho
margins OF tho wounded area. Tho
union OF scion and tree can occur only
where the cambium layers OF the two
come together Tho Hcions may be no.
cured In their proper positions. II need
be. by driving small nail through
each end Into tho trunk, This Will aid
In drawing tho camhium OF scion and
trunk closely together
Tho operation IN completed by thor
uurhiy covering the area occupied by
tho ends OF the noionn and the mar
gins of tho wound with grating wax,
strips Of waaed cloth. or by some
other means that adequately will pre-
won't these parts from drying out