302 



ANNUAL REPORT 



from ; this is not usually the case until the first growth of the 

 season is accomplished and the shoot has temporarily ceased to 

 lengthen, as indicated by the perfect formation of the terminal 

 buds. Second, the bark must rise freely from the stocks to be 

 budded. This it will do only when the trees are in a thrifty, 

 growing state ; never after the growth of the season is com- 

 pleted. 



Where buds are wanted before this condition of maturity, we 

 sometimes hasten it by pinching back the tips of the shoots, and 

 after a few days the buds will be fit for working. 



TO PREPARE THE BUDS. 



Shoots in the condition described and of the variety desired 

 are removed from the tree at a point below the lowest plump 

 bud ; the leaves are then cut away, leaving a half or more of 



Fig. 11. 



Fig. 12. 



each leaf stalk to handle the bud by. Then the shoot to bud 

 from is taken in one hand and the knife in the other, the lower 

 part of the edge of the knife is placed on the shoot half an inch 

 above the bud to be removed ; the thumb of the knife-hand 

 resting on the shoot below the bud, a drawing cut is then made 

 parallel with the shoot, removing the bud and the bark to which 

 it is attached half an inch above the bud and three-quarters be- 

 low it. The cut is made just deep enough below the bark to take 

 a small portion of the wood with it, and if this adheres firmly it 

 should be allowed to remain ; if it parts freely it should be taken 

 out, but in doing so the root of the bud should be carefully pre- 

 served, for if it comes out the bud is useless. 



