PROPAGATION 



301 



branches to a given length and causing healthy, plump buds 

 to form. 



The bud-sticks are usually all cut at one time and stored 

 until they are used. It is thought by some nurserymen 

 that bud-sticks which have been stored produce a larger 

 percentage of buds that will grow. Stored bud-sticks pro- 

 duce a greater percentage of uniform trees because the buds 

 seem to mature in some way during storage. The bud- 

 sticks are tied in bundles and either packed in damp sand, 

 sawdust or damp moss until they are used. The damp moss 

 or sawdust is preferred by most growers, because the sand 

 has a tendency to dull the budding knife. The bud-sticks 

 should have the leaves pruned off, leaving a little of the 

 leaf stem to serve as a handle with which to hold the bud. 



FIG. 124. The method of top working a citrus orchard. 



The budding of the citrus fruit is usually performed during 

 November or December in those regions where a more or 

 less definite winter occurs. This is called dormant budding. 

 If any buds fail to grow from dormant budding or are killed 

 back by the winter then spring budding is performed. Spring 

 budding should be done after a vigorous growth has started. 

 However, budding can usually be performed at any time 

 of the year when the bark peels or separates easily from the 

 wood. 



