BURBANK IN THE ORCHARD 



wax or paraffin (either will do if no acid or alkali 

 is present, though beeswax is generally preferred) 

 are mixed with one and one-half pounds of raw 

 linseed oil. Boiled oil should be avoided, as it 

 often contains chemicals injurious to plant life. 

 If the wax is to be used in cold weather, it is 

 better to use only seven and one-half pounds of 

 resin and a half-pound of beeswax in the mixture, 

 thus giving a slightly thinner consistency." 



The ingredients are slowly heated together 

 until melted and thoroughly combined. When 

 partly cool, the composition is poured into pressed 

 tin pans, from which the cakes may be removed 

 when needed by turning the pan upside down and 

 pouring boiling water over it for a few seconds. 

 For use, the wax is heated, preferably in a double 

 heater, the outer one containing water, to prevent 

 overheating. It is applied with a small paint- 

 brush, first around the thick bark of the stock, 

 and later, as the wax on the brush cools, on and 

 about the cut surfaces and open joints. 



THE PEOCESS OF BUDDING 



When Mr. Burbank has to deal with a very 

 rare seedling, or one that he wishes to multiply 

 rapidly, he uses the modified form of grafting 

 known as budding. 



The process consists in slicing off a well-ripened 

 bud, including a piece of bark about an inch and 

 a half long, the incision being just deep enough 

 to include the cambium layer and a small portion 



[67] 



