176 



THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



The cuttings may be placed singly in 3-inch pots, using light rich soil, or several can be 

 inserted in a pot, pan, or bed in some loose cocoa-nut refuse with sand, under a bell 

 glass or in a close frame on a fermenting bed, or over a hot-water tank. In a bottom heat, 

 of 70 to 75 the cuttings produce roots in about ten days, the top heat being 60 to 

 65 artificially. They should then be placed in 3 -inch pots, and when these are filled 

 with roots, be shifted into 5-inch pots, as should those placed in 3-inch pots at the 

 commencement, and be grown in a temperature of 60 to 70, with 10 to 15 more from 

 sun heat. In the early stages, the assistance of a little bottom heat is advantageous, 

 but it is not necessary after the plants are established. 



Budding. The common shield method may be employed, operating as soon after 

 midsummer as the buds are sufficiently formed, and after tying cover with grafting wax 



so as to exclude the air, as the bark of the 

 fig shrinks in drying. Annular budding is 

 considered the best for the fig, and should 

 be performed in late summer, or when the 

 wood is ripening. As this method of 

 budding is applicable to the walnut and 

 chestnut we give an illustration. 



In annular budding a ring of bark 1 to 

 2 inches wide is taken off the stock by 

 running two circular cuts around it at the 

 place fixed upon, and making a vertical cut 

 between the two circular cuts. The haft of 

 the budding knife is then introduced into 



Fig. 55. ANNULAR BUDDING IN FIG TREE. .- ., j ,-1 . /, -, , ,, 



the slit and the ring or bark carefully 



References : 0, stock prepared for bud ; ,9, ring of bark 



taken off ; T, lower cut p, bud prepared ; Q, stock showing: removed. In a similar manner a ring of 



U, bud placed in position ; F, bud tied. 



bark ^ taken Qff ^ yariety to which 



bud is to be attached. This ring (P) must have one bud at least, and should exactly 

 fit the stock, particularly at the lower cut, so that both barks join. Secure the ring-bud 

 rather firmly with cotton. In a fortnight or three weeks the bud will have taken, and 

 the bandage may be removed. The branch or stock must be cut down to 3 inches 

 above the budding in spring. This ingenious French method is useful when it is 

 necessary to put fruitful parts on barren trees, a number of varieties on one stock, 

 or render seedlings usefully productive. 



