93 



cleft-grafted, — from one-lialf inch np to four inches in diameter ; but 

 a diameter of one inch is the most convenient size. All the leading 

 or main branches of a tree top maj be grafted. If the remaining 

 parts of the top are gradually cut away and the cions grow well, the 

 entire top will be changed over to the new variety in three or four 

 years. Each cion may be a different variety ; but there is no differ- 

 ence in the operation or the treatment of the tree. 



On young or small stocks, like nursery trees, the cleft-graft is 

 not practicable, and a different form of grafting is 

 employed ; but the teacher will not care to be confused 

 with farther details. 



We have seen that a cutting may be reduced to a 

 single bud ; so may a cion. If the bud-cion has very 

 little or no wood attached, and is inserted underneath 

 the bark, the operation is known as budding. The 

 commonest form of budding is shown in Figs. 57, 58, 59. 

 This is the method known as shield-budding, because the 

 bud, with its attached bark, is shield-shape (Fig. 57). 

 A T-shape incision is made in the stock, and under the 

 bark the bud is inserted (Fig. 58) ; then the wound is 

 tightly bound with soft cord or bast. Budding may be 

 performed whenever the bark will " slip " and when 



well grown buds can be secured, — that is, eitlier in 

 spi-ing or late summer. It is usually performed at the 

 latter season ; and then the bud does not throw out a 

 shoot the same season, but merely grows fast to the 

 stock. The next spring it throws out a shoot and makes 

 a trunk ; and in the meantime the stock has been cut off 

 just above the bud. That is, the bud-shoot takes the 

 place of the top of the stock. 



Shield-budding is performed only on small and young 

 stocks. It is usually exclusively emploj'ed in the propaga- 

 tion of stone fruits, as cherries, peaches, plums, apricots 

 for experience has proved that it is preferable to other 

 forms of grafting. It may also be employed for other fruit trees. 

 How is a peach tree made? In 1898, a pit or seed is saved. In 



485 



58.— T/iebud 

 set in tTie 

 matrix. 

 One-half 

 natural 

 size. 



59 



-The bud 

 tied. 



