PROPAGATION 



287 



Propagation. — The citrus fruits are usually propagated by 

 budding. Although a few varieties can be grown with some 

 success by grafting, cutting and layering these methods 

 are not to be generally recommended. Occasionally the 

 lemon can be grown from cuttings, but the trees are rarely 

 ever successful. The orange cutting can rarely ever be made 

 to take root, and this method of propagation should not be 

 considered. 



Fig. 121. — Making a new top on a citrus tree. 



The shield or T-bud is universally used in the propaga- 

 tion of the citrus fruits. The success of this method is 

 largely dependent upon the proper selection of the budding 

 wood. Citrus buds should be cut from round plump wood 

 taken from fruiting branches. Suitable wood of this char- 

 acter is difficult to find on the orange but it is more plentiful 

 on the lemon. The orange tree from which the buds are to be 

 selected must be prepared a year in advance. The prepara- 

 tion of the tree consists in systematically pruning the 



