264 



AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURE. 



years. 



Whatever tends to a free circulation of the 

 sap, and consequently to a rapid growth, 

 causes the formation of leaf buds 

 rather than fruit buds. And what- 

 ever tends to retard the motion and in- 

 crease the accumulation of sap in any part 

 (roots or branches) induces the produc- 

 tion of fruit buds. The vigorous one- 

 year shoot of the cherry is mostly sup- 

 plied with leaf buds ; but the short spurs 

 on the second year's wood, which are but 

 shortened branches, may be covered with 

 fruit buds, with usually a leaf bud in 

 the centre. This also explains the chief 

 reason why young and vigorous trees of 

 the apple kind, the wood and bark of 

 which are comparatively soft and 

 yielding, and through the large and 

 unobstructed vessels of which the sap 

 flows without restraint, do not bear so 

 freely as the older and more rigid wood, 

 in which the circulation is slower. A 

 young tree growing in very vigorous 

 condition may not produce fruit buds 

 for many years ; while, if checked by 

 skilful pruning, it bears at the right age. The varieties of 

 fruit available for planting are very numerous perhaps 

 too numerous. 



BUDDING and GRAFTING. Both operations are followed 

 with the same object in view 

 to secure desirable sorts of 

 fruits, flower or foliage plants, 



^ := ~' l ^(b l ^il ^^\^V upon roots suitable for their 

 V %.\A most vigorous growth. Graft- 



ing is done in the early spring 

 season, from July onwards, 

 according to the variety of 

 plant and the location. Bud- 

 ding, or gra'ting with a single 

 bud, is an autumn operation, 



Pruning for Fruit. 



How the Bud Is Taken Off. 



