SUMMER CARE OF PLANTATION 



71 



.+**' 



Fig. 54. Making the cleft for grafting 



Mid-July to early Septem- 

 ber in the North. 



3. Re sure to bring 

 the cambium layer of the 

 scion in intimate contact 

 with that of the stock; 

 otherwise the two prob- 

 ably will not unite. This 

 layer is the thin film of 

 tissue between the bark 

 and the wood. It is as 

 thin as the finest tissue 

 paper. 



4. Protect the parts 

 either with grafting wax 



or twine or both until union is assured. When wax is used alone 

 no damage will result, but when tying is done the strings must be 

 cut before the bud becomes "strangled" by the tightening of the 

 strings due to growth. 



Shield budding, the simplest form of budding, is done as follows: 

 In a young stock, preferably not more than two seasons old, make a 

 cut about two inches long parallel with the direction of growth (up 

 and down) . Half or three-quarters of an inch from one end make a cross 

 cut to form a T. Gently and slightly pry up the bark from the wood 

 below. Now choose a well ripened twig of the variety desired. Pick 



out a thrifty bud with a 

 good leaf stem at its base. 

 Gut off all but about half 

 an inch of this stem, thus 

 leaving a little handle. 

 With a very keen knife 



Fig. 55. Inserting scions in stock 



j ie twig 



so as * l eave a shield- 

 shaped piece of bark and 

 wood about one-eighth 

 inch thick with the bud 

 ne ar the center. Gentry 

 P ress tms shield into the 

 stock at the T already 

 cut and adjust it so the 

 whole of the cut surface 

 beneath the bud rests 

 against the wood of the 



