34 Bulletin 77 



and an immense supply of propagating stock adapted to the 

 immediate local conditions. Even then careful selection of the 

 individuals of a variety should be made. This is essential to the . 

 securing of a form that will produce fruit of good quality, and a good 

 yield, and which will give a regular annual production. Perhaps 

 even as great care should be paid to the selection of forms that 

 will endure extremes of weather. This is particularly true in the 

 selection of Smyrna varieties. In the Salt River Valley, where the 

 Capri fig is being grown, the influence of temperature on the pro- 

 duction of Capri figs is very noticeable, since there is but a single 

 form that carries mamme through the winter. 



Vegetative propagation by the use of mature wood cuttings is th^ 

 most practical method, especially where the work is done upon the 

 farm. Mature or hardwood cuttings should be made in winter, 

 when the least sap is flowing, using well ripened wood free from 

 winter injury. The length of the cuttings depends upon the size 

 and age of the wood. They range from 1 to 14 inches in length, 

 the average being 4 to 6 inches. In the preparation of the cuttings the 

 wood should be sectioned exactly at the node, so that no visible 

 pith will show at either end. Planting may be done at once with 

 two eyes exposed, or the cuttings may be heeled-in in soil well 

 tamped to exclude the air and prevent drying. Planting may be 

 done in late winter or early spring; it may be done directly in the 

 field or in the nursery where the stock is grown for a season before 

 being set in the orchard. One should avoid wet soils, since the roots 

 make a very succulent growth and are extremely susceptible to 

 injury at the time of transplanting. The soil should, however, be 

 moist. In the case of too rapid rooting the cuttings may be dried 

 slightly before planting. Desiccated cuttings should be revived by 

 soaking them in water for a short time. After planting avoid 

 covering. 



Fropagaticn by shocts is easily accomplished. The suckers 

 arising on the roots and lower portion of the trunk will soon take 

 root and may then be removed with a small portion of the parent 

 tree and set in the field. 



Unproductive and undesirable varieties of vigorous growing 

 capacity may be grafted or budded. Grafting usually gives the 

 best results and may be done conveniently by cutting off the stem, 

 notching the side, then cutting a V-shaped slit about 1}4: inches 

 long into which a scion of two buds is inserted, tied, and waxed. 

 Two-year old wood is used for grafting. 



