MR. TKOMMEL TEACHES BUDDING 191 



So I have the little bench. I also have the lower 

 edges curved like a little sled. Thus I can move 

 along without rising." 



"Is that the < bud' -that stick in your 

 hand?" asked the boy, 



"No, no ! These are the ' buds 'this and 

 this." He touched with his budding-knife 

 the little "bumps" on the branch, as Mary 

 called them. 



"Now look ! First, I find a smooth 

 place on the stem of the tree. Then I make 



T 



a cut across, 

 cut length- 

 stock. 



"Then 

 little 



bud, 



so. 

 wise 



Then I make another 

 so. That is for the 



I take the bud-stick and I cut a 

 thin slice, deepest just under the 

 so. Then I hold it carefully by the 

 handle the bud, that is and I take out 

 with my knife the thin 

 BUD- STICK piece of wood inside, 

 very carefully, or the bud 

 will come out, too, yes ! and I leave but a 

 tiny bit of the wood just under the bud. It 

 is ready. 



"Now," and he turned his attention again to the 



