EXERCISE 45 



BUDDING 



Materials. Seedling peach trees not over one year old, to be used 

 as the stock; well-grown leafy peach twigs of the season, of some 

 desirable variety ; sharp knife ; strips of raffia. 



Directions for work. Budding is usually done in late summer, 

 the exact time depending upon the latitude. In the southern 

 parts of the country it may be done in June, but in more 

 northern latitudes not before the last week in August. In 

 any case the budding must be clone while growth is vigorous. 



At a point on the stock two or three inches above the ground 

 make a cut through the bark, but no deeper, and about half- 

 way round the stem. From the center of this cut make another 

 extending downward about an inch. Gently lift the bark with 

 the knife point and slightly turn back the two flaps formed. 

 The bark should peel readily. 



Select a leafy twig of the variety which it is proposed to 

 graft upon the stock and cut off a number of leaves, allowing 

 a half inch or more of the petiole to remain attached to the 

 twig (called a " budding stick "). With the knife cut into the 

 twig below the selected bud and continue the cut upward under 

 the bud in such manner as to raise a triangular shaving, with 

 its broader end remaining attached and the bud situated near 

 its middle. Make a crosscut through the bark just above the 

 bud. The bud and its attached triangular piece of bark may 



