Using corn starch as raw material, ammonium persulfate (APS) and sodium bisulfite (NaHSO3 ) as initiator, acrylamide (AM) and butyl acrylate (BA) as grafting monomer, epichlorohydrin (ECH) as cross-linking agent, we prepared a grafting and cross-linking modified starch adhesive for wood application. Infrared spectrum was used for characterization of the sample and the influence of mass ratio of AM and BA, the mass ratio of APS and NaHSO3 , reactive temperature, and reaction time on bonding strength and water resistance of the starch based wood adhesive were investigated. The experimental results showed that AM and BA grafting modification greatly improves the bonding strength and water resistance of starch based wood adhesive; infrared spectrum confirms the grafting reaction among AM, BA, and starch.