524 



Journal of Agriculture. Victoria. [lo Aug.. 1911- 



Before replacing the soil to cover the pegged down layer, apply a- 

 little wash sand or sandy soil about the cut if the soil is heavy. 



The object of dealing fully with layering is for the information of 

 readers who are not conversant with this method of increasing a variety. 

 It is practised with many of our evergreen fruiting and flowering trees 

 and shrubs. Most of our choice varieties of oranges and lemons are 

 benefited by budding or grafting them upon another variety suitable 

 as a stock in every respect to the variety worked upon it. This is ex- 

 plained fully upon pages 338-9. 



Seedlings should be lifted from the seed beds in August or September. 

 The tap root, if any, should be cut back. Upon lifting, plant out im- 

 mediately where they are to remain for working upon. Select dull calm 

 weather, if possible. Do not allow the stocks to get dry — keep covered 

 with a damp sack ; temporarily heel in or cover the roots with soil 

 when planting out. If necessary, lightly water the stocks when planted, 

 and continue this treatment when required throughout the summer months. 



The stocks should be kept well trimmed, and all robbers, i.e., super- 

 fluous shoots, removed either by rubbing them off with the thumb and' 



19. METHOD OF PEGGING DOWN A LAYER. 



finger, or carefully cutting with a sharp knife. Do not allow the stocks- 

 to carry a heavy bushy head growth. 



When budding, insert the buds well up in the stocks from the ground 

 level (see Fig. 20). Watch the binding to see that it does not cut into 

 the rapidly-expanding stock. When unity has taken place, reduce the 

 head of the stock — this will be the means of starting the bud into growth. 

 Some propagators tie the growing shoot carefully io that part of the stem 

 which is left above the bud (Fig. 20), so as to protect it from rough 

 winds, and to insure a straight vertical growth. When the growth is 

 hardened and no support is necessary, this portion of the stock is re- 

 moved down to the bud, making a clean upward cut. A future article 

 will deal with the proper method of making this cut. 



Another method, and one that the writer practised, is to reduce the- 

 stock back to the inserted and moving bud — the same as deciduous fruit: 



