122 



PRACTICAL PLANT PROPAGATION 



Fig. 66. Cutting buds. The sketch 

 shows the proper position of bud stick 

 and the hands. The bud is only par- 

 tially removed from the twig until 

 ready for insertion ; then the bud may 

 be easily cut straight across 



is inserted so that it fits flatly. 

 Should a piece of bark protrude 

 above the bud it may be re- 

 moved. Some propagators make 

 the top of the T crescent-shaped 

 instead of square, by holding the 

 knife at an angle of 45 degrees 

 to the stock and making the cut 

 with a rocking motion. The 

 longitudinal cut is started an 

 inch below the crescent and 

 brought upward, the forefinger 

 )N guiding the blade. The knife 

 is quickly moved to the right 

 and left when the cross cut is 

 reached, to open the T. The bud 

 is then inserted. 



Buds are usually placed on 

 the north side of the stock so that 

 they will be shaded. 



After the bud is inserted it is 

 tied with raffia to keep out the 



water; the whole cut surface is 

 covered but the bud must not be 

 injured nor covered. 



If the bark is too tight above 

 ground a little soil may be dug 

 away from the plant and the bud 

 inserted upon the crown of the 

 plant or even upon the root. 



If the bud is "taking" it will 

 look fresh and alive, but if not, 

 the bark will peel away from the 

 sides of the bud and it will be 

 dried and brown. In the latter 

 case, another bud may be in- 

 serted. 



About ten days after budding, Fig. 67. Shield budding. Showing T-shaped 



.1 r j .11 , .. , ..i 



the buds will have united with 



cut in stock; the bud and the budded tree 



(See page 121) 



