CHAP. III. BUDDING. 87 



adopting this plan a little wood may be left behind, but there 

 is no fear of the eye being damaged. 



In behalf of those who find a difficulty in removing the wood 

 from the shield, it may be well to mention, that it is by no means 

 essential to do so ; that the Americans never do it, and even 

 condemn the practice. They say that the wood assists to keep 

 the bud moist, and prevents its being destroyed by the heat ; 

 and that by inserting the bud, just as cut from the shield, the 

 operation of budding is rendered far more easy, more speedy, and 

 proves uniformly more successful. 



As soon as possible after the shield is ready, the longitudinal 

 gash that has been made in the branch must be lifted open with 

 the budding-knife, and the shield slipped down so as to lie upon 

 the naked wood of the branch, similarly situated as it was upon 

 the branch from which it was taken (Fig. 15 d). Then cut half 

 the part of the shield off that is above the bud with a cross-cut, 

 so that the upper part of the shield may lie close and even 

 against the cross-cut of the branch ; then bind the whole round 

 firmly but not tightly with the cotton-twist, leaving the bud 

 exposed (Fig. 15 e). The first indication of the bud having 

 taken will be the falling off of the little bit of leaf-stalk that 

 was left adhering to it. When the bud has pushed forth about 

 a quarter of an inch, the cotton-binding should be removed ; 

 but the branch should not be headed close down till the bud 

 has sent forth a considerable shoot. 



For budding Oranges, Dr. Bonavia recommends what he says 

 is The Native Method, namely a longitudinal gash only, 

 and no cross-cut, on the stock. He directs that the buds be 

 inserted on the north side of the stock, as being the most shady. 

 " Bend the stock towards you, so that the incision may be at 

 the bottom of the curve. By so doing the edges of the incision 

 can be lifted from the wood with the greatest ease by means 

 of the point of the knife. When the incision is gaping, intro- 

 duce the shield. Twist a thin slip of dry Plantain leaf, pre- 

 viously wetted, above and below the bud." * 



It has been found that wood containing eyes for budding, 

 if packed carefully in moss, may be sent a journey of many days, 

 and prove as serviceable for the purpose as fresh-cut wood. In 

 this simple way new Roses are now easily procured from the 



* ' Journal of the Agri-Hort. Society,' vol. xiv., p. 200. 



