64 PLANT PROPAGATION 
length of the slip or cut, to enable the bud to slip down 
into its position easily. In preparing the bud, a piece 
of the growing wood of the current year’s growth, with 
a well-formed bud, should be selected. Then pass a 
sharp knife from, say, half an inch below the bud to the 
same distance above the same, taking one-third or half 
the wood of-the shoot with the bud. If the wood is in 
a proper condition to bud, the wood cut with the bud 
can easily be pulled away from it by gently taking the 
bark with one hand and the wood with the other; if the 
interior of the bud is torn out in the process, it is 
METHOD OF MAKING METHOD oF INSERTING SHIELD-Bup In- 
Cross-cUT. SHIELD-Bup, SERTED AND TIED, 
useless, and a fresh bud must be used. No time should 
be lost in inserting the bud into the incision prepared 
for its reception, as shown in b, tying it round with 
rafa or matting, as illustrated in c. It is practically 
impossible to say what time will elapse before the bud 
becomes properly united, as not a little depends upon 
the weather; but immediately it is observed that it is 
swelling the bandage of raffia should be removed to 
allow of expansion. Unless some support is afforded to 
the shoots that spring from the bud, wind or other 
agencies are liable to cause them to become detached 
at the union, and all labour is lost. To prevent such 
