178 VITRUS FRUITS AND THEIR CULTURE. 



By so doing they may be made fruitful in two or three 

 years. On the other hand, it is believed that some vari 

 eties may be made more prolific by carefully selecting buds 

 or cions from the most fruitful branches of those trees 

 sho\ving a tendency toward a more fruitful habit. Of most 

 of our citrus varieties it may be said, however, that they 

 are sufficiently prolific when worked on congenial stocks 

 and grown under the right conditions. 



For work in early spring, the bud sticks or grafts 

 should be cut from the trees the previous December, if 

 there is danger of injury from frost. The wood is thor- 



Fig. 45. Mr. Taber's method of keeping- budwood. 



Each bin contains a separate variety, buried 



in sphagnum. 



oughly hardened by this time and may be kept for use 

 in June or July as well, though material may be secured 

 from the trees at the time of June and dormant budding. 

 In sections free from frost, the wood may be cut just 

 previous to the commencement of growth in spring, if re- 

 quired for immediate use, but the better plan is to cut the 

 wood in December. 



It is poor policy to wait until after the trees have 

 started to grow before attempting to secure budwood 

 and cions. On citrus trees most of the desirable buds 



