THE ORCHARD.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 588, 30 November 1920, Page 2

THE ORCHARD.

WHEN TO GRAFT,

Tim best time for grafting esta lit-iicd trees is at the first flush sap in spring, when the young leav begin to unfold, as new tissues a then quickly formed, and the woun readily heal. If measures are tak to prevent the parts drying out, ho l over, grafting by the cleft meth< may be done when the stock is qui dormant, but where the bark has. be lifted it is necessary to wait unl the sap is moving. Provided tl growth of the scions can be retard< by storing them in a cool place, the is nothing to prevent s<Kcessf grafting even when the i full leaf, but if done too late in tl season the scion shop|fc have no tin to mature, and may perish with til first severe frost. It is customary ( select the scions when pruning, t them into small bun4lesr and bui them in a cool but not <*jpo damp spo until the stock is forward /Enough t be worked. The sciony'should b taken from good healthy " bearin trees, and the best wood to use fc most varieties is that of the previ ! ous summer's growth; they may b tut to any length for storing, bn about four inches is long enough fo iictual use. A straight, clean, well ripened stick, about three-eighths © an inch in diameter carrying fou plump buds is about Wh« iiiserted there should be thifee fre buds about the stock, the lowest which is not more than half-ftn-incl above the incision.