254 THE GARDENER. [June 



pose — viz., sliield-budding, inverted ± budding, and square shield- 

 budding. The former of these we prefer, and consider the best, but 

 either or all of them will answer the purpose well enough. Shield- 

 budding is done something after this manner : take a sharp budding- 

 knife, and where the bud is to be placed make a cut across the branch 

 to the depth of the bark, from J to -J an inch in length, according to the 

 size of the bud. From the centre of this cut make another cut running 

 at right angles with it, and from 1^ to 2 inches long, according as it 

 may be desired. Assuming this operation is being performed in sum- 

 mer, a nice plump bud of this year's growth is selected and cut from its 

 parent branch, with a piece of wood adhering thereunto. When cut, 

 the wood is gently raised and cast away, nothing being left but the bud 

 and bark ; and this, if the operation has been i3roperly done, will much 

 resemble a round-pointed steel pen. The bud should stand well up 

 upon the bark, say one -third of its length from the top. The bud 

 being ready, take the bone handle of the knife, and with it gently raise 

 as much of the bark on either side of the longitudinal cut as will admit 

 the bud. In this operation be careful not to hurt or destroy the 

 alburnum, as much of the success of the operation depends upon this 

 point. All things being ready, let the bud be gently introduced at the 

 top of the JL cut, and as gently and easily as possible brought down to 

 the bed made for its repose. This done, take a broad soft piece 

 of mat (not Cuba), and commence to bind up the bud upon the stock 

 as tightly and firmly as possible. It must be borne in mind that 

 unless the portion of bark right under the bud is brought into 

 close contact with the alburnum, the operation will prove a failure. 

 The binding ought to be commenced at the bottom of the bud and 

 carried upwards, as by doing so there is not so much chance of it being 

 rubbed about upon the alburnum ; and further, it is easier to make a 

 firm and secure binding of the bud than if tied downwards. It is a 

 good practice to leave a portion of the leaf stem along with the bud, as 

 it is from it we obtain the first tokens of success. If in the course of 

 a few weeks it drops off of its own accord, it is a sign of success ; if on 

 the other hand it withers and becomes dry, it is a sure token of death 

 in the bud. As soon as it drops, or shortly after, the ties should be 

 examined, and if too tight, they ought to be re-tied more loosely. 

 This may have to be done twice or thrice before the " rest " season, but 

 in every case the mat should not be removed until the following spring, 

 when the bud will push into growth. 



Inarching is sometimes brought into requisition for the same purpose 

 as I have recommended budding, and it has this advantage, that where 

 a branch can be spared upon one part of a tree, and bent so as to be 

 brought into contact with the trunk at the point where wanted, the 



