BUDDING FRUIT TREES 329 



The surest way to get alfalfa to grow on a poor soil 

 is to manure the soil, cultivate it, and sow about August 

 the 1st, applying lime and inoculation, if necessary. 



This work may be carried on at the students' home if 

 there are no plats for it near the school. The home work 

 of these lessons is to be greatly encouraged. 



References: Alfalfa Book. Coburn. Farmers' Bulletin, No. 

 215. 



LESSON XCIV 



BUDDING FRUIT TREES 



August is the month when young peach and apple trees 

 are usually budded. 



Purpose of budding. Budding is such a simple and 

 important farm operation that every boy and girl should 

 know how to do it. Think of changing the little apple- 

 trees in the orchard to any variety of apples you wish! 

 This is exactly what budding is for. This change can be 

 made on branches as small as lead pencils, or as large as 

 the thumb. The nurseryman buds the little trees a few 

 inches above the surface of the ground. The fruit grower 

 top buds the little trees, two or three feet above the 

 ground. 



And when, above this apple-tree, 

 The winter stars are quivering bright 

 And winds go howling through the night, 

 Girls, whose young eyes o'erflow with mirth, 

 Shall peel its fruit by cottage-hearth, 



And guests in prouder homes shall see, 

 Heaped with the grape of Cintra 's vine 



