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Show Bridge Grafting Saves Good Paying Fruit Tree Fruit trees injured by rabbits or mice during the winter can be saved without undue expense by bridge grafting. Bridge grafting is a simple process but requires skill in the handling han-dling of the tools. A bridge graft is made by using scions (small, live twigs) to connect the two portions of the bark of a stock or limb which have been separated by an injury such as girdling by animals or other means. In other words, the Injured area is "bridged" by scions, the ends of which unite with the uninjured parts above and below the wound In such manner that a connection between the tissues is established. Bridge grafting may be used on almost al-most any kind of fruit tree that can be readily propagated by grafting. In practice it is used much more frequently fre-quently with rife apple than with any other fruit, but pear trees are often treated. There is no reason why the method should not be successful on plums and cherries. Bridge grafting is done In the early spring about the time the trees are starting Into growth, the same as in cleft grafting for the purpose of top-working. top-working. It does not matter- If the trees have started slightly, but it Is of great importance that the scions be perfectly dormant. The chances of success are materially decreased If the buds on the scions have started appreciably. ap-preciably. It -is often necessary to secure se-cure the scions some time in advance of the time they are to be used In order or-der to have them in a dormant condition condi-tion when needed, storing them meanwhile mean-while where they will not dry out and where it Is cool enougli to keep them dormant. : |