u 



THE PROPAGATION OP PRUIT TREES. 



The SELECTION OP Scions, from which, the buds are to be 



taken, also requires the exercise of some judgment. Those are 



best that have formed their terminal bud, but as these 



ilr are not always to be had, those which have begun to 



I ripen their wood and have well developed buds should 



lf| be selected, and the very green portion towards the 



extremity, where the buds are but partially formed, cut 



away. As soon as the scion has been cut from the tree, 



the leaves, with about half of the leaf-stalk, should be 



cut off, and the scion wrapped in a cloth of sufl&cient 



thickness to protect it from the sun and air. If the 



^i cloth be moistened it will be of advantage in keeping 



^ the scions cool, but they should never be soaked in a 



^ very wet cloth, much less in a vessel of water. Figure 



Pig. 9. 9 represents a scion which has been cut from the tree, 



with the leaves and a part of the leaf stalk removed, and showing 



the buds which are to be used in budding. 



The Operation op Budding is performed by se- 

 lecting a smooth place in the stock, and with a sharp, 

 thin-bladed budding-knife, (figure 10 shows the best 

 form of buddiag knife, although any sharp 

 thin-bladed knife may be used) make first 

 a horizontal cut, just deep enough to cut 

 through the bark, and then fi-om the centre 

 of this make a perpendicular cut of the same 

 depth, the two cuts having the form of a 

 "Y- Figure 12 shows the slits made in the 

 bark. If the stock be small, that is, one or 

 two years of age, the proper place for insert- 

 ing the bud is as near the ground as can 

 conveniently be done, and, if possible, the 

 south side is to be avoided on account of 

 its greater exposure to the sun. Could we 

 have everything just the most favorable pos- fig. 12, 



sible, we would select also a cool, cloudy day for the 

 Fia. 10. 



