PROPAGATION OF FRUITS. 3T 



of the bark from a tree and inserting it in a slit of the bark 

 of another tree. The season for performing this operation is 

 July and August, or September will answer for peaches, and 

 is early enough for most Southern latitudes, when the buds 

 destined for the following year are completely formed in the 

 axils of the leaves, and when the portion of the bark parts freely 

 from the wood beneath ; the buds to be preferred being those 

 on the middle of the shoot. There are many forms of bud- 

 ding, but that which is the simplest and most easily performed 

 need alone be described or practiced. 



The buds upon the last year's growth will produce young 

 shoots, while those of the second year's growth are apt to be 

 blossom-buds, and will not make twigs. 



Budding is regarded as a modification of grafting, and is 

 performed while the stock is in vigorous growth. 



Mode. — " The operator should be provided with a budding- 

 knife, in which the cutting-edge of the blade is rounded off at 

 the point, and having a thin ivory or bone handle, like a paper 

 folder, for raising the bark of the stock. A horizontal or 

 transverse incision is made in the bark, quite down to the 

 wood, and from this incision a perpendicular slit is drawn 

 downward to the extent of perhaps an inch. The slit has 

 now the resemblance of the letter T; a bud is then made 

 ready, or is cut from the tree that is wished to be propagated, 

 having a portion of the wood attached to it, so that the whole 

 may be an inch and a half long. The bit of wood is then 

 gently withdrawn, care being taken that the bud adhere 

 wholly to the bark or shield., as it is called. The bark on each 

 side of the perpendicular slit being cautiously opened with 

 the handle of the knife, the bud and shield are inserted ; the 

 upper tip of the shield being cut off horizontally, and brought 

 neatly to fit the bark of the stock at the transverse incision. 

 Slight ties of moistened bass or candlewick are then applied, 

 and in about a month or six weeks these ligatures may be 

 removed, when, if the operation has been successful, the bud 

 will be fresh and full, and the shield firmly united to the wood ; 

 the next Spring a strong shoot is thrown out from this bud, 

 and to this the stock is headed down in the course of the Summer. 



