CHE REFERENCE LIBRARY - Pole Shift Survival Information

154 THE N ~~RSERI’--MAA’~‘UAL
originally, and thi4.t careful pruning is required to keep it sufficiently
open. Each graft is virtually a new tree-top placed
into the tree, a~1 for this reason, if for no other, the common
practice of grafting old trees close tlowii iii the large limbs is
seen t.o bc ii~acl~~isabl(~.
,Sniall young trees with a (bcnt.ra.1
trrmk or axis, such as have been
planted only two or three years,
Inay be cut oft bodily, as at IC in
Fig. IiS, onl;\ one graft being
made. I~sually such trees can be
diangtd over in one or two
When the young tree is
well branched, however, it may
he branches as sug-
179 (after Powell).
are should be taken
to choose alternating branches, so
that crott*hes will not be formed.
is performed in
The best time is when
the leaves are pushing out, or just
before, as wounds heal quickly and
FIG. 175. A part rtmovcd in top- cions a.re most likely to live.
graftiw.
But when a large lot of grafting
is on hand, it is ncxcessary to begin a month, or even two,
before the leayes start. On t,he - other hand, the operAon
can be extended until a. month or more after the leaves are fullgrown,
but such late cions make a short growth, which is likely
to perish the following winter.
Professional grafters usually divide their men into three
gangs, - one to do the cutting of the stubs, one t.o set the cions
and one to apply the was. The cions are whittled before the
grafter enters the tree. They are then usually moistened by