106 



FRUIT CULTURE. 



the wood is not in prime condition, that a splinter of the 

 wood is left below and above the alburnum. In such a 

 case it must be carefully removed without drawing out 

 the alburnum with it. If this should be the case it may 

 be seen at once, as the eye of the bud will have a clear 

 cavity, and on no account should such a bud be inserted, 

 as nothing but the bark is left, and no tree can possibly 

 grow from it. 



The bud having been properly prepared (Fig. 29 A) is 

 held between the thumb and finger of the left hand, whilst 



FIG. 29. BCDDING. 



A Bud Prepared. B Stock, with Cut made. C The Bud Inserted. 

 D The Finished Operation. 



with the right an incision is made in the stock by a clean 

 upward cut, and a cross cut at the top, as per Fig. 29 B, 

 raising the bark at either side with the ivory spatula of 

 the knife, commencing from the cross cut at the top. If 

 the stock is in good condition, the bark will rise freely 

 from the wood. The bud is then inserted from the top 

 and pressed somewhat firmly down under the bark, and 

 the upper portion of the bark attached to the bud that 



