TOP-WORKING SEEDLING PECAN TREES. 23 



AFTER TREATMENT. 



The process of patch budding is not complete even after a good "live" 

 of buds is secured. It still requires some judicious after-treatment to 

 get them into good normal growth. On account of the drastic heading 

 back the tree has received, practically every dormant bud will be forced 

 into active growth. These will push out so vigorously in spring that 

 if not held in check they will completely overgrow and crowd out the 

 buds put in. Attention should be given during the early growing period 

 to see that the buds put in have sufficient room for proper development. 

 If all or too many of the seedling buds are rubbed off, the inserted buds 

 will not be able to carry all of the heavy flow of sap, and so may be 

 drowned and killed. On the other hand, the inserted buds may not 

 start unless forced by the extra sap obtained by rubbing off a portion 

 of the seedling buds. A good deal of horticultural judgment is required 

 to adjust the proper balance between the seedling and the inserted buds 

 so as to get the best development of the latter. When the inserted buds 

 are able to carry all the sap of the tree, all seedling shoots should be cut 

 out and attention directed towards forming the new growth into a 

 strong, symmetrical top. 



If conditions are favorable, there will generally be some nuts the 

 second season. By the third year the transformation from the seedling 

 to the named variety should be complete, and a good crop of high-class 

 nuts should be expected. 



