234 Principles of Plant Culture. 



days, by cutting it on the back side of the stock, to 

 enable the latter to expand by growth. 



397. The Budding Knife should contain a blade of 

 good steel, shaped as indicated in Fig. 125, and a 

 round-edged spatula for lifting the bark. The spatula 

 is Jbetter placed on the back of the blade, as shown in 

 Fig. 126. 



398. Ring Budding is used to some extent in the 

 propagation of thick-barked plants, as the hickory and 

 magnolia. A section of bark is removed nearly or en- 

 tirely around the stock, and a similar section contain- 

 ing a bud from the variety it is desired to propagate, 

 is fitted to its place and snugly bound with raffia. Ring 

 budding is oftener performed in spring than later in 

 the season. 



399. Approach Grafting is now seldom employed, 

 except in a few plants that unite poorly by other meth- 

 ods. It is only possible between two plants in close 

 proximity, or between parts of the same plant, since 

 the graft is not severed from the parent until it has 

 united with the stock. The plants are nourished by 

 their own roots until the union takes place. 



Approach grafting is performed during or just pre- 

 vious to the growing season. The parts are held in 

 contact by binding them with raffia; the juncture 

 should also be waxed if the work is done in the open air. 

 Two methods of approach grafting are in use: 

 a A shaving reaching into the cambium layer is re- 

 moved from both stock and graft on the sides toward 

 each other (Fig. 127), and the cut surfaces are brought 

 together and closely bound until they unite (Fig. 128), 



