128 TBINIDAD AND TOBAGO BULLETIN. [XVIIL 3. 



Selection of Stocks. — In regard to the stocks on which the buds 

 are to be inserted we have found it very important if success is to be 

 assured that the stock be young. The proper age to bud and that at 

 which to expect the best results is when the seedUngs are from six 

 weeks to five months old. In old stocks the chief reason of failure 

 lies in the susceptibility of the bark to split when making the incision, 

 resulting either in failure or a poor union. This does not happen in the 

 case of young stocks. 



The ideal stock for use is one with a strong thick shoot. Buds will 

 unite much better and make stronger plants on stui-dy stocks. The seed 

 required for stock purposes are sown and grown in bamboo pots. 



The method of top-working old trees by cutting them back and 

 allowing shoots to grow which are then budded on, agrees with this in 

 principle as it is the young shoots springing from the old pollarded 

 branches upon which the buds are inserted. 



Season Tor ]3uddinct. — Another very important factor and one 

 which must not be overlooked is the season in which to bud. Unless a 

 glass covered shelter is available in which to place the plants before 

 a union has been made budding must be deferred till the early months 

 of the dry season, selecting seeds from late fruits for use as stocks to 

 allow of them being of the right age. Oar experience at St. Clair has 

 been that, even after budding under shelter, if the plants are exposed 

 to heavy rains at too early an age many are lost. 



Growth of Buds. — The most striking point about budding of the 

 avocado is the marvellous rate of growth of the shoots once the buds 

 have made a union with the stock. Occasionally we find buds make a 

 good union but do not burst into growth, and on examination it is seen 

 that the bud has dropped from the piece of bark inserted. The chief cause 

 of this is through the bud being taken from shoots which are too young. 



After the bud has made a un:oa with the stock the latter should be 

 trimmed off four or live inches above the point of imion. It must not 

 be trimmed back completely till the bud has made several inches of 

 good strong growth and made a complete union with the stock. If the 

 stocks are cut back closely before the hwda have properly united the 

 stock often dies back below the incision of the bud. This is one of the 

 most important points in connection with the budding of the avocado. 



As in the case of other bu Ided and grafted plants a close watch must 

 be kept for suckers which should be rjmoved as soon as they appear. 



