92 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 Feb., 1917. 



THE SUMMER BUD OR YEMA GRAFT OF THE VINE. 



By F . de C'asteUa, Governtnent Viticulturist. 

 (Continued from page 52, Vol. XV., 10th Jan., 1017.) 



The Budding Knife. 



Almost any knife is suitable for the purpose, provided it has a 

 narrow blade and is capable of being sharpened to a razor edge. The 

 usual forms of knife used for budding citrus, roses, &c., may be used, 

 though the handle is not a very convenient one, in view of the rather 

 heavy cutting required, nor is the spatula-like end of the ivory handle 

 necessary for the Yema graft. A very suitable knife is made by Messrs. 



Fig. 8. — Budding Knives. 



The lower knife, with thin ivory handle, is one of the standard brands of 

 English knives used for budding citrus, roses, &c. The upper knife, specially 

 designed for the "yema" graft, is made in Victoria. The blade does not fold, 

 but is provided with a stout leather sheath. 



Barker Brothers, of 262 Victoria-street, Richmond, Victoria, with 

 stout, wooden handle, such as can be firmly gripped by a man's hand. 

 This knife is illustrated in Fig. 8. 



A guard made of fairly stout leather, and roughly shaped like the 

 thumb of a glove, will be found a useful precaution ; it will enable the 

 knife to be used in trimming the scion against the right thumb without 

 danger of cutting oneself. 



Subsequent Care of the Grafts. 



The grafts, after having been duly executed, tied, if necessary, and 

 mounded n,p as described in last issue, require, as a rule, no further 

 attention until the early spring following. It is well, however, to 

 examine one or two of them occasionally, in order to watch the pro- 

 gress of the union, and to see whether or not the string with which 

 they have beei5 bound wants cutting. Sometimes the formation of callus 



