CHAPTER VI 

 Increasing Fruit Trees 



THE three chief methods adopted for the propagation of fruit 

 trees are budding, grafting, and taking cuttings. Budding and 

 grafting are commonly practised in dealing with Apple, Pear, 

 Plum, Cherry, and others, while such bush fruits as Gooseberry 

 and Currant are increased by cuttings. 



Budding Fruit Trees is an interesting operation which is 

 best carried out during the months of July and August. The 

 <j exact time depends largely upon the weather ; for in addition 

 jj to having the buds in right condition, it is most important that 

 tiB the sap should be flowing freely in the stocks, so that the bark 

 I can be easily separated from the stem to allow the insertion of 

 I the buds. Wet weather encourages the flow of sap, and there- 

 fore a period when wet conditions prevail should, where possible, 

 be chosen. 



The stock usually employed for Pears is the Quince ; those 

 for Plums are the common Mussel, the wild Bullace, the seedling 

 Plum, and the Myrobalan PlumI For Apples the Paradise stock 

 is used, whilst the best stock for Cherries is the Gean or wild 

 Cherry. For Apricots, Peaches, and Nectarines the Mussel, 

 Brussels, and Brompton stocks will be found satisfactory. 



The selection of the buds is a matter of considerable import- 

 ance ; they should be neither too old nor too young. Vigorous, 

 (healthy, medium-sized wood of the current season's growth 

 hould be chosen, that which is turning brown (a sign of maturity) 

 being the best, whilst the buds should of course be plump and 

 rominent. Having obtained the growth containing the buds 

 emove the leaves, leaving half an inch or so of the stalk &c 

 h bud. 



To cut out the buds a sharp budding knife should be used, 

 nd be inserted below the leaf stalk, in preference to commencing 

 Jit the top of the bud. The thin slice of wood cut away with 

 Jbhe bark at the back of the shield must next be removed. This 

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