I04 



Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [lo Feb., 1912. 



leaving those required to form, or reform, tlie future head of the young 

 tree. 



Fig. 62A shows a yearling branched tree that has been pruned back 

 to a straight stem. The operation of disbudding should have been per- 

 formed earlier, i.e., when the shoots were soft and easily removed with 

 the thumb and finger. Consequent upon this delay, it has thus become 

 necessary to remove the shoots with a sharp knife. By the early removal 

 of shoots that are not required the ones left to form the future head benefit 

 greatly by receiving the whole of the nourishment. When removing 



67^. DISBUDDING STOCKS. 

 a. Two-year-old tree, pruned, carrying too many shoots. 6. Same disbudded. 



hardened shoots from the stems of young trees, cut close so that the 

 cambium will heal quickly and neatly across the scars. 



Fig. 63A shows a two-year-old tree that has been branched pruned, 

 i.e., the three branches operated upon to form the future head have been 

 reduced back to their basal buds. Consequent upon this, more shoots 

 than what are necessary have shot from the basal buds. Where this 

 occurs, all shoots not required should be removed either by rubbing or 

 cutting ; the former action takes precedence whilst the shoots are soft. 

 With two-year-old trees very few shoots push out upon the stems. This 

 is owing to the previous season's disbudding. 



