TEA. 



19 



This method consists of preparing the stock for the reception of the 

 scion as in shield budding. This is done by making a transverse cut 

 through the bark three-quarters of an inch in length. From the mid- 

 dle of this incision another cut is made toward the main stem or root 

 for fully an inch. The bark is then prized up as seen in Plate V, D. 

 Instead of inserting a single shield bud, a small twig having one 

 terminal and one or two lateral buds is used (PI. V, A, B, 0). The 

 scion is prepared as follows: A long scarf is made at one side through 

 the pith and a thin piece of the bark on the reverse side is removed. 

 With the long cut facing the stock the scion is pushed deeply into 

 the place prepared for it (PL V, E) and is tied firmly with raffia. The 

 corners of the bark of the stock are brought close to its own stem and 

 bound firmly in that position (PI. V, F). Melted grafting wax should 

 then be put on, or narrow strips of waxed cloth may be applied instead, 

 to exclude air and moisture. If possible, the scions should be selected 

 from branches not over one-half an inch in diameter when they can 

 be found of sufficient firmness of that thickness. Small lateral shoots 

 havino- a terminal bud and onlv an inch or two in length and quite 

 thin will unite by this method very easily. It is not necessary tor 

 the scions to be dormant, but they should be fully matured and the 

 leaves cut off to about one-half inch from the buds. The bark slips 

 readily from the time growth begins in spring, so that the operation 

 may lie performed at any period during late spring and summer. 



In the course of about two weeks after the operation is performed, 

 if the scions remain fresh, the probabilities are that a union will have 

 been effected. Part of the top of the stock may then be removed to 

 induce the scion to start growth, and when it has made some headway 

 the top of the stock may be cut off near the scion. 



Seedlings are well suited to this method of propagation for use as 

 stocks, as the bark near the ground line is quite thick and lends 

 itself readily to scion budding. The seedlings should be at least 2 

 years old. At this age that part of the stem near the collar is much 

 greater in diameter than will be found a few inches above, thus 

 allowing a good-sized scion to be inserted. 



TEA. 



NECESSITY FOR VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION. 



Dr. Charles U. Shepard, of Summerville, S. C, whose successful 

 tea-growing experiments entitle him to rank as the highest authority 

 on this subject in America, has concluded that future plantations of 

 some of the varieties now grown and which have been raised from 

 seed must be propagated vegetatively because of the important fact 

 that some of the individual plants in a batch of seedlings show great 

 superiority over others in several of their characteristics, as for 



