Material. Stocks of the apple, three inches in diameter and twelve inches in length, scions from the same kind of trees.

Apparatus. Sharp knife, grafting-wax.

Bridge grafting is used to save girdled trees and for the healing over of wounds that have been made by cultivating-implements.

The wounded part is first thoroughly cleaned out (Fig. 34, A) and the bark cut back until it is smooth. The scions are cut wedge-shaped at both ends (Fig. 34, B) and varying in length according to the size of the wounded area, and are then pushed up firmly under the bark. They should be about an inch longer than the wound. From three to six scions are used, according to the size of the wound.

Exercise XXXVI The Study Of Bridge Grafting 38Fig. 34. Bridge grafting

Fig. 34. Bridge grafting.

A, stock, showing scions in position ready for waxing; B, scion, showing wedge at each end

1. Make a drawing, two inches in diameter, showing the injury to the limb. Show by dotted lines the position of the cut which must be made in order to smooth up the edges. Why is it important to cut this bruised tissue back to firm bark? Discuss.

2. Make another drawing, the same size as the above, showing the scions set in place and the whole surface waxed over. Label and describe.

Make a drawing of a scion. How many buds are found?