18 TOP-WORKING SEEDLING PECAN TREES. 



cold storage or in a refrigerator. It will be ready for use in the spring 

 as soon as the bark will slip on the stocks. By this method the budding 

 season may be greatly extended and propagation started at least two 

 months before any of the present season's buds will be sufficiently ma- 

 ture for use. 



THE KINDS OF BUDS TO SELECT. 



As to the buds themselves, the most desirable are those at the base of 

 the season's growth. See figure 13. These, though not large, are plump 

 and fully mature. The bark is smoother and firmer about them than 

 higher up the stem, and there is no leaf stalk to interfere with cutting 

 them accurately and making a close fit and tie. These buds are dor- 

 mant, and there is little danger of them pushing into growth in the fall 

 and being cold hurt the following winter. For best success in patch 

 budding it is not desirable to select very large, overdeveloped buds, or 

 those that have grown so rapidly as to stand out on a little pedicel or 

 basal stalk. In removing such a bud from the stick, the central column 

 of the pedicel will often pull out and remain on the stick. Such a bud 

 will almost invariably die. An observation of pecan buds in general 

 will show that they are normally triple in form, the largest above and 

 two smaller ones beneath it. The largest bud will grow first, but if any- 

 thing happens to it, the next one will take its place. 



TYING IN THE BUDS. 



A good deal of the success in patch budding depends on the tying-iii 

 of the buds. The cambium must be thoroughly protected if a union is to 

 result. It is necessary to have some kind of tie that will retain the sap 

 as well as exclude external moisture. After experimenting with different 

 materials and methods, I have finally abandoned all except the waxed 

 strip tie. This is made by dipping sheet cotton in pure liquid beeswax, 

 and pressing out all extra wax. The cloth after dipping is formed into 

 convenient sized rolls. From these rolls the cloth is torn at budding 

 time into strips a quarter of an inch wide and from 8 to 10 inches long. 



In tying in a bud, hold it firmly so that it will not slip, and begin at 

 the top and bind it in very tightly with the waxed strip. Eeverse the 

 tie at the rear of the bud like a surgeon's bandage and cover the patch 

 completely, leaving only the tip of the bud sticking out. The wax in the 

 cloth will cause the tie to adhere sufficiently to the wood that no other 



