Best results were obtained by placing
the plants at once in a propagating frame, where a damp and confined
atmosphere could be obtained. In some plants, successful unions were
made in the open greenhouse, but they were placed in shade and kept
sprinkled for a day after the grafts were made. The operation should
always be performed quickly to prevent flagging of the cions. Or, if
the cions cannot be used at once, they may be thrust into sand or moss
in the same manner as cuttings, and kept for several days. In one
series, tomato and potato cuttings, which had flagged in the cutting
bed, revived when grafted. And cuttings which had been transported in
the mail for three days grew readily, but they were in good condition
when received. The mealy bugs were particularly troublesome upon these
grafted plants, for they delighted to crawl under the bandages and
suck the juices from the wounded surfaces.
Although it is foreign to the purpose of this note, it may be worth
while to mention a few of the plants upon which the experiments were
made. Sections were taken of many of the grafts and microscopic
examinations made to determine the extent of cell union. Coleuses of
many kinds were used, with uniform success, and the cions of some of
them were vigorous a year after being set. Even iresine (better known
as _Achyranthes Verschaffeltii_) united with coleus and grew for a
time. Zonale geraniums bloomed upon the common rose geranium.
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