100 



GRAFTAGE. 



previously explained. The bud is now inserted in the cleft 



of the bark. It is pushed down part way by the fingers, as 



in Fig. 91, but it is usually driven home by 



pushing down upon the leaf-stalk handle with 



the back of the knife-blade. The entire bud 



should pass into the cleft ; or if a portion of 



it should project above, it should be cut off. 



If the bark peels freely, the bud will slip in 



easily and will follow the cleft, but if it sticks | 



somewhat, more care is necessary to prevent 



the bud from running out. If the bark is very 



tight, it may have to be loosened with the I 



knife throughout the length of the cleft ; but ' 



budding should be performed, if possible, 



when such pains is not necessary. 



The bud must now be tied. The 

 whole matrix should be closed and vv*:'?- r : 

 bound securely, as repre- 

 sented in Fig. 92. The 

 string is usually started be- 

 low the bud, usually being 

 wrapped twice below the bud 

 and about thrice above it, in 

 fruit-trees, the lower end being held by lapping 

 the second course over it, and the upper end 

 being secured by drawing a bow through under 

 the upper course, or sometimes by tying an ordi- 

 nary hard knot. Care should be taken not to 

 bind the string over the bud itself. The strings 

 are previously cut the required length about a 

 foot and the tying is performed very quickly. 

 Any soft cord may be employed. Yarn and 

 carpet warp are sometimes used. The most 

 common material, at least until the last few 

 years, has been bass-bark. This is the inner 

 bark of the bass-w r ood or linden. The bark is stripped in 

 early summer, and the inner portion is macerated or 



1. Hud entering 

 matrix (x^). 



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