lo Feb., 191 2.] Propagation of Fruit Trees. 105 



With several varieties of plums, such as Hill F,nrl. Grand Duke and 

 Diamond, that start and make strong rapid growth at the beginning, it 

 is not unusual for the stems of many of the growing buds to split up- 

 wards, starting a little above the basal portion of the growth. This 

 splitting occurs if the stocks are strong and the season favorable for 

 vigorous growths. The writer's experience is that the sj) Fitting is more 

 prevalent when worked upon the myrobolan stock, and attributes this 

 largely to the stock forcing too rapid and also too strong a growth at the 

 beginning upon varieties that are naturally strong growing. To mini- 

 mize this, disbudding should be delayed a little longer with varieties 

 subject to splitting, so as to allow the superfluous shoots to utilize some 

 of the rapidly ascending sap and nourishment. Where the stems have 

 split, cut back to a basal bud to start a fresh vertical growih. 



Staking. 



Staking, i.e., placing a wooden stake in a vertical position clo.se to 

 a bud requiring support so that its growth may be tied to it and thereby 

 insure its safety until the stem is sufficientlv hard to be self-supporting. 

 The stake will also be utilized to train any hud that is growing otherwise 

 than vertical. 



This operation is an important one and should not be overlooked. 

 The time is controlled by a knowledge of the growth of species and the 

 varieties that are being propagated. 



Very good stakes can be made by cutting 5 feet palings in halves and 

 then splitting them into stakes i in. wide. Stakes should be pointed 

 with a tomahawk. If the pointed ends are dipped into tar and left to 

 dry before using the stakes will last for years. Whatever class of stake 

 is used they should be rigid. 



Immediately after disbudding all varieties of plums the growing bud 

 should be supported by tying to a stake. If not, there is a great risk 

 of the bud being blown out by the first strong wnnd. The writer has 

 found if the growing buds are any length, that the best plan is to disbud 

 a few, stake and tie at once, and so on until finished. If a strong 

 wind should spring up the superfluous shoots will protect the growing bud 

 somewhat until operated upon. The writer has seen hundreds of plum 

 buds with a growth of fromi 6 to 8 inches broken off by a sudden gust 

 of wind immediately after being disbudded. The stakes should not be 

 removed until the wood of the bud is hardened. About December is a 

 suitable time. Fig. 64B shows a growing bud properlv staked and tied. 



Citrus, l(jquat, medlar, mulberrv, and walnut buds should be staked 

 early and no risks with them taken. With the almond, apple, cherry, 

 nectarine, peach, and quince only buds of crooked growth require staking. 

 But the propagator should alwavs bear in mind that there is a risk of 

 losing unstaked buds up to a certain stage of growth. 



The apricot is a fruit that at times makes strong growth in late summer 

 and early autumn if the weather is favorable. It should therefore be 

 staked after being topped and trimmed. 



Stakes should be strong and of a fair length. If the stakes are short, 

 there is a big risk of the young tree, when carrying a good head growth, 

 breaking off at the terminal end of the stake during wet windy weather. 

 Again, if the apricot is growing freely, it differs from other trees in the 

 nursery row, owing to that part of the stem above where it is callused 



52. E 



