Page:First course in biology (IA firstcourseinbio00bailrich).pdf/159

 sizes may be cleft-grafted,—from one half inch up to four inches in diameter; but a diameter of one to one and one half inches is the most convenient size. All the leading or main branches of a tree top may be grafted. If the remaining parts of the top are gradually cut away and the cions grow well, the entire top will be changed over to the new variety.

Another form of grafting is known as budding. In this case a single bud is used, and it is slipped underneath the bark of the stock and securely tied (not waxed) with soft material, as bass bark, corn shuck, yarn, or raffia (the last a commercial palm fiber). Budding is performed when the bark of the stock will slip or peel (so that the bud can be inserted), and when the bud is mature enough to grow. Usually budding is performed in late summer or early fall, when the winter buds are well formed; or it may be practiced in spring with buds cut in winter. In ordinary summer budding (which is the usual mode) the "bud" or cion forms a union with the stock, and then lies dormant till the following spring, as if it were still on its own twig.