Where clay can at all be got we would not recommend "wax," as clay keeps the scion in a more natural condition than it is possible to obtain from wax, which only serves the purpose of excluding the air and preventing evaporation without supplying that moisture which is so congenial to the wellbeing of the graft. I may, however, give a few of the component parts which different horticulturists have used as grafting-wax. First, bees' wax and tallow, equal parts, laid on warm with a painter's brush. Second, four parts pitch, four of resin, two bees' wax, one of hogs' lard, and one of turpentine, melted and well mixed, and spread upon paper, which may be cut into strips before being applied. Du Breuil used two parts Burgundy pitch, two parts black pitch, one part yellow wax, one part tallow, and one part sifted ashes; while Mr Downing made his wax of three parts bees' wax, three of rosin, and two of tallow; while he says the wax in general use in America is composed of equal parts of these three ingredients, and sometimes with a preponderance of tallow. One or other of these compositions being ready, let the operator provide himself with a good sharp knife and a quantity of good soft matting to tie the graft and stock together.

Let him then proceed to cut over the Quince in a slanting direction, within 2 or 3 inches of the ground, at the same time endeavouring to obtain a bud at the top of the cut made upon the stock. The object we have in view in thus endeavouring to have a bud at the top of the stock, is to induce an upward flow of sap towards the scion, which will have a tendency to hasten the period of adhesion by the formation of granular' and woody matter. If a union is formed without this top bud, a considerable part of the upper portion of the stock will, in all probability, perish - that is to say, it will die back to a parallel line with the under bud of the scion. Let a slice now be cut longitudinally, of about 2 inches in length from the stock, entering gradually from the bottom until it reaches beyond one fourth of the diameter at the top, on the opposite side from the bud. It is better that such a cut be made in one pull, as it will therefore have a smoother and more even surface than if done by repeated cuts. Next proceed to make a cut downwards for receiving the tongue of the graft. Enter the knife about half an inch from the top, making an incision in a slightly oblique direction towards the opposite side of the stock, until it is about three quarters of an inch in depth.

This finished, take the scion, cut it also longitudinally right through from one side to the other in a slanting direction, so that a cut surface of 2 inches in length is left; thereafter, form the tongue by entering the knife about three quarters of an inch from the bottom, making an incision to the depth of three quarters of an inch, which shall nearly fit into the one made upon the stock; next cut over the scion, leaving two or three buds above the place of union. Proceed now to enter the one into the other, pushing the scion down until the bottom of it reaches the bottom of the cut upon the stock. As is generally the case, the scion will not be large enough to cover the whole of the wound upon the stock, therefore be careful to get the outer bark of the stock and the outer bark of the scion to join neatly together on one side. Being satisfied that all these things are attended to, take a nice broad soft piece of bast mat, and tie the two tightly together, being careful, however, not to use more than is absolutely necessary to keep the graft in its place, as if too much mat is used it will have a prejudicial effect in keeping back a considerable amount of the moisture of the clay, which experience has taught us is of so much benefit to the graft.

This being done, cover the whole over to the depth of an inch or two with clay, or whatever is being used for covering. As the Pear does not form a union nearly so readily upon the Quince as the wild Pear, it has been found to be absolutely necessary to have recourse to what is called "earthing or banking-up." This is done by drawing soil up over the place of union, and covering the whole save the top buds of the scion, much in the same way as "earthing-up" culinary crops. By doing this, the graft is kept in a more genial condition with regard to moisture, etc, and is thereby enabled to struggle longer for existence. It will be some considerable time ere the buds show many signs of progress, but in the interim the bud upon the stock may attempt to push strong, and if so, it ought to be pinched back to one eye at every attempt, until the scion begins to push, when it ought to be cut right off, to throw the whole sap of the stock into the graft. As soon as a few inches of wood are formed, the clay may be removed and the ligatures cut off, as they may be getting tight and marking the bark.

It will be better, however, to re-tie them afresh and draw up the earth again to keep them steady, and enable them better to withstand the action of the wind, which might very easily break them off, as the union is of a very slender nature for a considerable time. It will be noticed that our mode differs in several particulars from that recommended by M'Intosh, Thomson, and Lindley; but we are of opinion that good grounds can be shown for adopting our principles. Lindley, in his 'Theory of Horticulture,' see page 314, gives a sketch of whip-grafting, where the stock is cut over a considerable distance above the last bud; and we therefore reject this portion of his instructions upon the principle laid down by Thomson, who considers a bud at the top, if not absolutely necessary, at least of much practical utility and benefit to the scion. Again Thomson, in ' Gardener's Assistant,' see page 391, gives a cut of his mode of whip-grafting, wherein the tongue is very short, placed near the top of the scion, and entered right at the top of the stock. From him we also differ in this particular, that we prefer a long tapering tongue beginning near the bottom of the scion, terminating near the top of the cut, and which is entered half an inch from the top of the stock.