Saddle-grafting. In Saddle-grafting, the stock and scion must, of necessity, be of nearly equal thickness, as the former is cut sloping on each side, like a wedge, and the latter is split up the centre and thinned, to allow of it fitting accurately on the top, as shown in the illustrations and 140). It is important that the scion should not be split further than the end of the stock will reach, and the wood in both should be clean cut with a thin, narrow-bladed knife. For Saddle-grafting, the wood is usually young and vigorous; care must therefore be taken that the ligature is not made too tight at first, and that it is loosened afterwards before injury is caused to the bark. This method has been successfully practised for obtaining dwarf flowering plants of Rhododendrons by Grafting terminal shoots just before the flowering season arrives, and placing them in a close frame, without bandaging or anything beyond a tie. In Wedge-grafting, the positions of parts are reversed, the scion being made wedge-shaped, and fitted into an incision of similar shape and size cut in the stock.