METHODS OF BUDDING 26l 



used to lift the bark of the stocks. Probably the great 

 majority of expert budders have no use for such a device ; 

 they raise the bark with the knife blade. 



345. Making the incisions. In making a slot for the 

 bud to fit in, two cuts are necessary. Neither must pene- 

 trate deeper than through the bark. The first is usually 

 placed near the upper end of the second, with which it 

 makes a cross. The second generally made extends 

 about one and one-half inches lengthwise of the stock, the 

 rounded end of the knife being used. Some budders pre- 

 fer to place the cross cut below (270). So far as results 

 are concerned, one is probably as good as the other. 

 Placing the bud in position may be easier for one man to 

 "bud up" and for another to "bud down." After the 

 corners of bark in the angles of the cross are lifted 

 slightly to split the bark from the wood through the 

 cambium, the bud may be inserted and gently pressed 

 into place by the fingers, which grasp the leaf petiole 

 handle. If any part of the bud sliver protrudes from the 

 slot, it should be cut off, for unless the entire piece is 

 closely applied to the stock wood and is covered by the 

 bark, it may make a poor union, or not unite at all, with 

 the stock. When the bark lifts readily no such trouble 

 will be experienced, for the bud will slip into place with- 

 out trouble (Fig. 202). 



346. Tying follows. Raffia (292), the most widely used 

 tier, is cut in lengths of about a foot prior to the work. 

 Until raffia displaced it, bass (291) was the leading tier, 

 though carpet warp, yarn and other soft strings were also 

 used, and are still to some extent. The hank of raffia, 

 held near its middle between both hands, is placed agaHsi 

 the lower end of the vertical cut. The hands are then 

 moved to the rear of the stock where they exchange the 

 ends, which are made to cross each other. The crossing 

 is repeated in front over the cut but higher up than the 

 first round. So on till the whole cut is covered, on 1 -- 

 the bud being left visible. Three or four double rounds 



