20 



the operation may be per- 

 formed in various ways, but 

 the most general mode is what 

 is called shield or T budding. 

 This is effected by making a 

 straight incision in the bark 

 of the stock, about an inch 

 and a-half long, and at the top 

 a cross-cut, so that the whole 

 will form a T. The bark is 

 then raised from the top with 

 the handle or blade of the 

 knife for the reception of the 

 prepared bud. Taking hold 

 of the footstalk of the leaf the 

 bud is then gently pushed 

 down, as far as is necessary, 

 and the knife withdrawn. The 

 bark is then brought close and 

 bandaged with a strip of 

 worsted or other suitable 

 material, both above and 

 below the bud. Buds are 

 prepared by cutting them with 

 a sharp knife from the stems, 

 with a portion of the bark and 

 a thin piece of the wood at- 

 tached. Then cut the top of 

 the bark square, and remove 

 the inner slip of wood, ex- 

 cepting a little near the bud. 

 Care must be taken that 

 the eye or bud is not in- 

 jured when the wood is 

 removed, and if so it should 

 be rejected. Some propa- 

 gators prefer to leave a thin 

 slice of wood in the shield, 

 and when this plan is 

 adopted there is less risk 

 in preparing the buds, and 

 they do not dry up so 

 readily. On the other hand, 

 if there is much wood it is 

 likely to prevent the bark 

 of the shield from coming 

 into perfect contact with 

 the stock. In preparing 

 buds, the leaves should be 



SHIELD BUDDING. 



J 



1. A stick of buds. 2. Marks showing 

 where bud should be taken from 

 branch. 3. Bud as taken from branch, 

 with slice of wood adhering. 4. Bud 

 with inner slip of wood removed and 

 ready for use. 



INSERTING AND TYING THE BUD. 



1. T slit in stock. 2. The bud inserted. 

 3. The bud tied. 



