Grāft1, n.
(6), n. [O. Eng. graff, Fr. greffe, from O. Fr. grafe, Pr. grafi, Lat. graphium, Gr. γραφίον, γραφεῖον, pencil, from γράφειν, to write; from the resemblance of a scion or shoot to a pointed pencil.] A small shoot or scion of a tree inserted in another tree, as the stock which is to support and nourish it. These unite and become one tree, but the graft determines the kind of fruit.
Cleft-grafting, a method of grafting in which the scion is placed in a cleft or slit in the stock or stump made by sawing off a branch, usually in such a manner that its bark evenly joins that of the stock.—Saddle-grafting, a mode of grafting in which a deep cleft is made in the end of the scion by two sloping cuts, and the end of the stock is made wedge shaped to fit the cleft in the scion, which is placed upon it saddle-wise.—Side-grafting, a mode of grafting in which the scion, cut quite across very obliquely, so as to give it the form of a slender wedge, is thrust down inside of the bark of the stock or stem into which it is inserted, the cut side of the scion being next the wood of the stock.—Splice-grafting, a method of grafting by cutting the ends of the scion and stock completely across and obliquely, in such a manner that the sections are of the same shape, then lapping the ends so that the one cut surface exactly fits the other, and securing them by tying or otherwise. a, cleft-grafting; b. splice-grafting; c, whip or tongue-grafting; d, saddle-grafting; e, side-grafting.
—Whip-grafting, or tongue-grafting, the same as splice-grafting, except that a cleft or slit is made in the end of both scion and stock, in the direction of the grain and in the middle of the sloping surface, forming a kind of tongue, so that, when put together, the tongue of each is inserted in the slit of the other.
