Propagation. 19 



Having, then, selected a shoot, proceed to take out the 

 bud ; this is done by cutting a thin slice of the wood, about 

 an inch in length, partly above and partly beneath the 

 bud, leaving the bud and a very thin strip of wood, about 

 the thickness of writing paper. Some persons advocate 

 leaving this thin strip of wood with the bud; but the more 

 general practice is gently to remove it by giving a slight 

 jerk, while holding it at the lower end, with the knife-blade 

 and thumb-nail. If successfully performed the appearance 

 on the inner side of the bark will be plump ; but if a hollow 

 appears and the root of the bud has been torn out it will 

 1 e useless, and another attempt should be made. Many 

 budders put the piece of bark, with the bud, between the 

 lips to keep it moist without actually wetting it before 

 inserting it in the stock. The bud should be inserted in the 

 stock by gently pushing it in at the transverse cut, down to 

 the end of the longitudinal one ; then, with a very sharp 

 knife (which, indeed, is a requisite in the whole of the 

 operation), any of the thin bark on which the bud is should 

 be removed, so as to allow it to lie quite flat in the slit made 

 for it. The bud should then be firmly bound with soft 

 cotton, such as, we believe, tallow-chandlers use for wicks ; 

 this should be put two or three times round above and 

 below the bud, but not covering it, as it should be exposed 

 to rain. Some growers use worsted, and some raffia ; but 

 nothing is equal to the soft cotton here recommended. 



The best time for budding depends a good deal on the 

 character of the season, but from the end of June to the 

 beginning of August is the most favourable time. It will be 

 easily seen whether the bark rises at all, or clings to the 

 stem, and unless it comes up easily and clean it is not fit 

 for working. Another test is to see if the " prickles " come 

 away readily from the bark. The most favourable weather 

 is when it is showery, as this tends to keep both bud and stem 

 moist, and prevents them from drying up. Budding late 



C 2 



