PATCH BUDDINCl. 17 



PATCH nrDDINO. 



Tho ])iiddino;of in{uij4oe.s was fonnoily thoug'ht to bo extremely ditii- 

 cult, but planters in Florida have found it one of the best methods of 

 propagation, and use it ver}' extensively on stocks that are to remain 

 in place. For nurserj' stock that is to be transplanted inarching is 

 still considered the most satisfactory. Budding- has lately been tried 

 in India, but has not as yet proved successful. 



What appears to ])e an entirely new method of budding is descril)ed 

 by Mr. Knight in the Queensland Agricultural .lournal for July-Sep- 

 tember. IIMH) (p. 256), under the name of l)ai"k grafting. If all that is 

 claimed for it is true, it would seem to put an entirely new aspect on 

 the propagation of improved varieties, making transportation of scions 

 an easy matter and their propagation so simple and sure that it can be 

 undertaken by persons having no special training or ex]:)erience. The 

 possibilities are at least sufficient to warrant thorough experiments. 

 Mr. Knight says: 



After twelve years' close observation and a large number of experiments made on 

 the mango tree, the oonclupion that I liave arrived at is that no tree is simpler to 

 graft. 



The work can be successfully done by anyone and at any time, whether the sap is 

 active or dormant. The buds are certainly not so ciuick in coming when the sap is 

 down, but they make up for any delay when once started. 



Still it can not be said tliat grafting, when the sap is down, is the best time for the 

 operation. On the contrary, the first three months in the year have proved to be 

 preferable. All the remarks in this article apply to one process only; that is, the use 

 of bark without any wood adhering to it. Up to date the best material for tying on 

 the grafts is ordinary candle cotton, procurable at the ironmongers, and generally sold 

 in 1-pound balls. The grafts are simple pieces or bark without any growth whatever 

 on them. Of course there nuist be dormant buds or eyes on them. Tlie pieces of 

 bark may vary in length and width according to the size of trunk or limb on which 

 they are intended to be engrafted. 



The plates accompanying this article show grafts measuring 2i inches 

 long by tive-sevenths of an inch wide for the smallest piece, and 3i 

 inches by If inches wide for the largest size. Mr. Knight further states : 



The most convenient size to use is a piece about twice the length of the width, and 

 if taken off where rings exist, so that the ring is across the center of the section, there 

 will be two or three latent buds near the ring. The rings on the trunk and limbs 

 denote the exact number of growths and rests the tree has made. At the point of 

 every new growth, while resting, there is a whorl of leaves and at the base of every 

 leaf there is a bud which is capable of becoming a tree, and whether it is used for 

 grafting during its infancy or ten years afterwards it will develop with proper treat- 

 ment. The youngest bark used on the tree shown on PI. 11 (1) was 4 years old 

 and the oldest section 9 years old when transplanted. The older the bark the 

 easier it is to remove, and it is much handier to trim into shape. First cut out the 

 section for transplanting, and, should the edges be bruised and torn, cut them away 

 to sound bark. Now press the piece firmly onto the spot where it is intended to 

 grow and make a clean cut all round. Next take out the bark inside the mark and 

 put the prepared section in its place. Do not make it fit so tightly that it has to be 



8992— No. 28—02- 2 



