PROPAGATION OF PLANTS 



43 



Fruit trees have to be propagated in this way because 

 they do not come true from the seed (page 23). It is also 

 sometimes desirable to be able to take advantage of the pre- 

 vious growth of a tree, rather than to wait for a new one to 

 grow. Top -grafts in an 

 old apple tree may begin 

 to bear the second year. 

 In most regions it takes 

 ten or more years for a 

 young apple tree to reach 

 bearing age. 



The essential point in 

 all budding and grafting 

 is: that the cambium lay- 

 ers be placed together and 

 held there until they unite. 

 The cambium layer is the 

 living and growing part 

 between the wood and the 

 bark. 



40. Budding. A bud is 

 cut as shown in Fig. 21. 

 A T-shaped cut is then made in the plant to be budded, 

 the bud is inserted and tied with raffia. 



The life history of a peach tree before it is planted in 

 the orchard is about as follows: The pits are stored in 

 moist sand or other material where they will freeze during 

 the winter so that they will crack. These are planted in 

 the spring. In June, or about September, the seedling tree 

 is budded from a tree of the desired variety. The bud 

 is inserted near the surface of the ground. After it has 



Fio. 20. A grape cutting and the same 

 after one year's growth 



