224 



Principles of Plant Culture. 



397. The Budding Knife should contain a blade of good 

 steel, shaped as indicated in Fig. 125, a,iid a round-edged 

 spatula for lifting the bark. The spatula is better placed 

 on the back of the blade, as shown in Fig. 126. 



398. Ring Budding is used to some extent in the propa- 

 gation of thick-barked plants, as the hickory and mag- 

 nolia. A section of bark is removed nearly or entirely 

 around the stock, and a similar section containing a bud 

 from the variety it is desired to propagate, is fitted to its 

 place and snugly bound with raffia. Eing 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 methods. It is 

 only possible between two plants in 



FIG. 127. FIG. 128. 



Fig. 127. Two plants prepared for approach grafting. The cut surfaces 

 a a, are to be placed together and bound. 



Fig. 128. Two plants bound together for approach grafting (After 

 Bailey). 



close proximity, or between parts of the same plant, since 

 the graft is not severed from the parent until it has 



