GRAFTAGE. 69 



begin to grow. The young stocks are "dressed" or trimm- 

 ed before being set into the nursery. This operation con- 

 sists in cutting off a fourth or third of the top and the 

 tap root. This causes the roots to spread and induces 

 a vigorous growth of top because it reduces the num- 

 bers of shoots ; and such stocks are more expedi- 

 tiously handled than long and untrimmed ones. 



Stocks should be at least three-eighths inch in diame- 

 ter to be budded with ease. Just before the buds are 

 set, the leaves are removed from the base of the stock 

 so that they will not interfere with the operation. 

 They are usually rubbed off with the hand for a 

 space of five or six inches above the ground. They 

 should not be removed more than two or three days in 

 advance of budding, else the growth of the parts will 

 be checked and the bark will set ; any branches, too, 

 as in the quince, which might impede the work of the 

 budder, are to^be cut off at the same time. The bud 

 is inserted an inch or two above the surface of the 

 ground or as low down as the budder can work. The 

 advantage of setting the bud low is to bring the resulting 

 crook or union where it will not be seen. It is a com- 

 mon and good practice, also, to place the bud upon the 

 north side of the stock to shield it from the sun. 



The buds are taken from strong and well hardened 

 shoots of the season's growth and of "the desired 

 variety. Usually the whole of the present growth is 

 Fig. 62. A cut, the leaves are removed, but a part of the petiole 

 stick of or stalk of each leaf is left (as in Figs. 61 and 62) to 

 buds - serve as a handle to the bud. This trimmed shoot is 

 then called a "stick." A stick may bear two dozen good buds 

 when the growth has been strong, but only ten or twelve buds 

 are commonly secured. The upper buds, which are commonly 

 not fully grown and which are borne on soft wood, are usually 

 discarded. The buds are cut with a thin-bladed sharp knife. 

 Various styles of budding knives arc in use, and the budder 

 usually has decided preferences for some particular pattern. 



