io6 



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



to the stock not hardening simultaneously with the part l)elow. Owing 

 to this feature there is always the risk of breakage at this particular place 

 if the stakes are removed previous to late autumn, especially if the head 

 growth is heavv. Some varieties are worse than others in this respect. 



Although staking is a simple operation, it takes practice to place the 

 stakes in a vertical position. The butt of the stock, if vertical or nearly 

 so, will be a guide. By holding the stake in a vertical position, and 

 keeping the pointed end away from the butt, and at the same time gauging 

 the same distance apart becween the stake and the terminal end of the 

 stock, will facilitate this operation. In Fig. 64A the dotted line indicates 

 the correct position of the stake, the butt having been used as a guide. 



STAKING. 



a. Growing bud requiring staking ; clotted lines indicate correct position of stake. 



properly stak?d and tied. 



h. Same bud, 



In sandy or loose soils the stakes can either be pressed into the soil 

 with the hands, or tapped into position with a hammer, or mallet ; the 

 latter l)eing necessary if the soil is firm. Fig. 64A also indicates the 

 position of the stake when placed in position alongside a bud growinp- 

 obliquely. With vertical ones the .stake .should be placed directly behind. 



The operator will require tO' exercise great care when bending the growth 

 upward, .so as Xo place it in the correct position against the fiat of the 

 stake, so as to be ready for tying. Growing buds are tender and brittle, 

 some more so than others. There is also a risk of causing injury if the 



