790 



Ri'RAL School Leaflkt. 



Fig. 8i 



The nursen^man buds the Httle trees in the nursery row about two or 

 three inches above the surface of the ground, inserting a single bud in 



each tree. The fruit grower top buds the trees he 

 has set in the orchard the spring before, inserting 

 two or three buds in the main stem of each tree 

 about three feet from the ground. This is what 

 you will do if you have planted a Northern Spy 

 tree in the spring. 



Plan to bud the tree in August. At this time 

 the bark peels readily. It would peel in the spring 

 also, but then the flow of sap is so great that 

 the little bud would be drowned or forced out of 

 the bark. Later in the fall than August, the bark 

 becomes so dry that it will not peel. 



To Prepare the Tree or Stock. Choose the place 

 for the bud. Make a horizontal cut across the 

 stem just through the bark. This cut should be made with a rolling 

 motion of the knife, and should be crescent-shaped. Then, beginning 

 in the middle of this crescent-shaped cut, draw the knife straight 

 down making a vertical cut. Fig. 82. To loosen the bark, twist 

 the knife sidewise before drawing it out. The stock is now ready for 

 the bud. 



The "Bud Stick.'' Take the buds from bearing trees 

 of the variety you wish. From the ends of the branches 

 cut twigs which have grown this spring. These are called 

 "bud sticks." The leaves are still on them. At the base 

 of each leaf and between the leaf and the branch, you 

 will find a little bud. This is the bud you wish to insert 

 into the tree, which has been prepared as above. 



To Cut the Bud. Cut the leaves off the bud stick 

 about a quarter of an inch above the bud, thus leaving 

 the base of the leaf stalk as a handle for the bud. Also 

 cut off the upper porti.^n of the bud stick three or four 

 buds from the end. These end buds are soft and 

 immature, and should not be used. Cut each bud as 

 you use it. Beginning with a sharp knife below the 

 bud, cut upwards just through the bark beneath 

 the bud and above it about half an inch. Be sure to cut through the 

 bark, but be careful not to get much wood beneath the bud. The 

 illustration (Fig. 81) shows how to cut the leaves from the bud stick, and 

 also how to cut the bud. 



Fig. 82 



