OF tfRUIT TREES. 43 



tinction ; but the bud should always be of the same 

 genus with the tree or branch which is to receive it, 

 The blossom buds are formed by the first sap between 

 April and June, and are filled by the second sap be- 

 tween July and October, The proper season for bud- 

 ding, is from the beginning of July to the end of Sep- 

 tember, at which period the buds for next year 

 are completely formed in the axilla of the leaf of the 

 present year, and they are known to be ready, from 

 their easily parting from the wood. The buds pre- 

 ferred, are the shortest observed on the middle of a 

 young shoot, on the outside of a healthy and fruitful 

 tree ; on no account should an immature tree or a 

 bad bearer, be resorted to for buds. For gathering 

 the shoots containing the buds, a cloudy day, or an 

 early or late hour, is chosen^ it being thought that 

 shoots, gathered in full sunshine, perspire so much as 

 to drain the moisture from the buds. The buds should 

 be used as soon after being gathered as possible, and 

 the whole operation should be quickly performed,. 

 In taking off the bud from the twig, the knife is in- 

 serted about half an inch above it, and a thin slice of 

 the bark, and wood along with it, taken off, bringing 

 out the knife about an inch and a half below the bud. 

 This lower part is afterwards shortened and dressed, 

 and the leaf is cut off, the stalk being left about half 

 an inch long. Perhaps it is better to insert the knife 

 three quarters of an inch below the bud, and to cut up- 

 wards ; at least, this mode is practiced in the Scottish 

 nurseries* The portion of wood is then taken oat by 

 raising it from the bark, and pulling it downwards or 

 upwards, according as the cut has been made from a- 

 bove or below. If the extraction of the wood occasion 

 a hole at the bud, that bud is spoilt, and another must 

 be prepared in its stead ; as gardeners speak, the root 

 of the bud has gone with the wood, instead of remain- 

 ing with the bark, For the performance of the ope-* 



