PRESERVATION OF GRAPES.

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of grapes be composed of bunches laid closely together, and as nearly of equal thickness as possible. Put no paper over them, but let thin boards be fitted to rest securely over the bunches as closely as possible without actually touching them. Pad the upper side of these boards with cotton, on which secure another layer, and thus proceed until the box is filled.1 These directions are for grapes grown under glass, whose skin is thin and tender; so great a thickness of cotton would not be necessary for the native grapes of this country.

For the preservation of grapes they should be cut with a joint or more of wood below the bunch. A clean cut should be made, and sealing-wax applied to exclude all air from communicating through the tissue of the wood with the fruit. The bunches should then be hung on cords suspended across a closet in a cool, airy room, taking care that they do not touch each other; and they can be cut down as wanted. They must not be exposed to a current of warm air, nor yet be so damp as to cause mould. The proper sealing of the bunches is a most important feature in the operation. This is best done by charring the end of the stem. This process closes the vessels, and prevents the escape of the sap, and, of course, also the decay of the berry where it adheres to the stem. We have thus kept autumn grapes in a perfect state during the whole winter, till early in the succeeding spring.

1 Gardeners' Chronicle of 1848.

CHAPTER XI.

GRAFTING AND BUDDING.

INFLUENCE OF THE STOCK OF THE SCION - THE SEASON -THE WAX -METHODS — THE CLEFT — GERFFE A UN SEUL RAMEAU, DONT UNE PARTIE DU SUJET EST COUPEE EN BISEAU-THE CROWN TUBULAR BUDDING WITH DORMANT EYES-THE PEG-GREFFE SYLVAIN, RENEWAL, SIDE, WHIP — GREFFE FENARI DE THOUIN -GRAFTING FRUITSPURS INARCHING -GREFFE MORCEAU COMMON INARCHING, IN THE AXIS OF THE LEAF, SQUARE BUD, TUBULAR BUD - GREFFE EN ECUSSON-THE BUDDING-MACHINE - FOR IMMEDIATE FRUITING RENEWAL GRAFTING THE VINE -MIDSUMMER EMBRYONIC.

THESE

HESE are among the most interesting and important operations of the orchardist; for by means of them he can transform his trees from those of little value to such as are of rare excellence. Without these processes there would be no way of disseminating many desirable fruits; for, as each variety originated in a single tree, by the natural course of reproduction from seed, there would never be a certainty of another like it.

Although the influence of the stock upon the scion may be small in altering its specific character, yet there is no doubt that it does in some degree change its appearance and texture. The reader has probably seen two trees of the same sort standing side by side, exposed to the same influences, and

EFFECT OF THE STOCK.

365

receiving the same care, which universally have differed in the form, color, size, or flavor of their fruit, or in the growth and foliage of the tree. Two trees of the Beurré Superfin pear, both standards, stood within ten feet of each other, and received the same care. One of them always produced large, yellow russet fruit of very fine flesh, and of a delicious, vinous, nutty flavor, while the other as constantly bore large, green, smooth fruit, without russet, and of coarse texture and poor flavor. The influence of the quince stock upon the pear is very evident, as is that of the Paradise and Doucin stock upon the apple.

Yet while a given sort may vary, it does not lose those distinct peculiarities by which it can be readily recognized. A tree was grafted with three different kinds of pears, one naturally cracked and spotted, the second remarkably fair and clean in its appearance, and the third a russet. The tree soon fruited, and all these varieties produced the same year, each one preserving perfectly distinct its own peculiarities, while all were fed from a common root and stem. This faculty was supposed to result from the effect of the foliage of each, which elaborated its sap to suit its own wants. But against this hypothesis must be brought the oft-repeated experiment of grafting rings of bark, one above another, and not allowing a shoot to grow from them; even then they retain their distinctive characters. Thus we

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INFLUENCE OF THE SCION UPON THE STOCK.

would say that while the foliage aids in accomplishing this result, yet the main work lies hidden in the secret recesses of each cell.

That the scion has a great influence over the stock, is also easily observed, particularly in the formation of roots. The amount of its influence depends greatly upon the fact, whether or not the scion forms the whole top. If a portion of the limbs of the old wild stock is retained, the native character will be prominent in the roots; but if the scion has full control, the name of the variety can be as readily determined by a careful observer of them as from the branches. The general habit of the tree beneath the ground corresponds usually with that above. When the tree throws an upright, stiff head, as in the Buffum pear, the roots as directly descend. Where the head is crooked, and the shoots turn with curious elbows, the roots correspond. Trees with abundant limbs, and compact heads, have a close and generous supply of roots. Those which cast withy shoots, like the Winter Nelis pear, have wiry roots. Those which have a few fat branches, like the Vicar of Winkfield pear, have a few chubby roots. Men who have worked for years in nurseries, and have been accustomed to digging trees, are aware of these peculiarities. The Buffum pear tree, on account of its strong, straight top roots, will, as they say, "bear a pull," while such a method with the straggling Rostiezer would

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deprive it of all its valuable fibres. This formation of a system of roots corresponding with the top, must of course begin when the stock is young, to be perfect in its character; for when it has reached a mature age, the insertion of a scion could not alter the peculiarities of those roots already in existence, although it would be a guide in the forma tion of those to be made.

The season of grafting varies according to the plan to be used. There are those adapted to all times in the year. As a general rule, those performed with ripe, dry wood should be done while the tree is dormant, or while the leaves are off, and after danger of severe frosts is past; and that with green wood, while the tree has such upon it during the summer. The knife to be used in the operation should be sharp, for the same reasons as were given in the chapter on pruning. If the scion is cut with a dull instrument, and the tissue torn and lacerated, the chances of its healing or joining with the main stock are much lessened. In all operations in gardening in which a knife is used, it is absolutely requisite that it should have a keen edge.

No tree of full size should have its whole head cut off and grafted at once, as it is too great a shock and disturbs disastrously the balance which nature keeps between the stem and the root. The result of such treatment would be likely to be an enormous growth, which if not killed the first winter, is