188 FARMER'S ASSISTANT. 



He observes that this operation is best learned by prac- 

 tice; but gives directions lor performing it, as follows: 

 Provide a sharp penknife, with the end of the handle flat 

 for raising the bark ; prepare your slips intended to be in- 

 serted; choose a smooth part of the stock, five or six inches 

 above the ground, tor dwarfs; for half-standards^ about 

 three feet; but for standards, about six feet; cut horizon- 

 tally across the stock about an inch in length, and from 

 that slit the bark downwards about two inches, so as that 

 the incisions be in the form of the letter T ; but be careful 

 not to cut so deep as to wound the stock. 



After having cut off the leaf from the bud, leaving the 

 foot stock remaining, you make a cross cut about half an 

 inch below the eye, and with your knife slit off the bud, 

 with part of the wood to it, in form of an eschutcheou ; 

 pull off with your knife that part of the wood which was 

 taken with the bud, observing that the eye of the bud be 

 left; for those that lose their eyes in striping should be 

 rejected. 



Then, having gently raised the bark of the stock, insert 

 the bud ; place it smooth between the rind ot the stock and 

 the wood ; and, having ft ted it in as exactly as possible, wind 

 the whole closely round with bass-mat made soft by soaking 

 in water (soft ropeyarn will perhaps answer as well) begin- 

 ing at the under part of the slit, and proceeding to the top, 

 minding not to bind round the eye of the bud, wnich should 

 be left open. 



In three or four weeks, you will perceive which have 

 taken, by their appearing fresh, and then the bandages 

 round these should be loosed. In April following, cut off 

 the stock, sloping, three inches above the bud; fasten the 

 shoot proceeding from the bud to the stump of the stock 

 for the ensuing season, and the next season take off that 

 stump close above the bud. 



The time for inoculating is, from the middle of June to 

 the middle of August, or rather at the time when the bark 

 raises easily, and the buds will come off well from the 

 \vood. The most general rule is, when you observe the 

 buds formed at the extremity of the same year's shoots; 

 for then they have finished their Spring growth. Cloudy 

 weather, and mornings and evenings, are the best for the 

 operation. 



forsyth says, the slips or cutings to be used for buding 

 should not be thrown into water. He adds, that all trees 

 of the same genus, which agree in their flavor and fruit, 

 will take upon each other. All the nut-bearing trees will 

 therefore grow on each other, and the same may be ob- 

 served of ail the jilumb- bearing trees, including the almond, 

 peach, nectarine, apricot, Sec. 



