BUDDING 



21 



the insertion of the bud. No undue pressure is exerted, for this 

 would be likely to bruise something or other and possibly ruin the 

 operation. The bud, taken between the thumb and ringer of the 

 left hand, is held in position so that it can follow instantaneously 

 the opening of the bark (see Fig. 7 H), being slid into position as 

 low down as the bottom of the vertical cut, which should never be 

 too long. The budder then presses the bark home upon the bud, 

 and, his part of the work being done, passes on to the next stock. 



FIG. 9. A. T-Cut. B. Inserting the Bud 

 C. Tying 



Then comes the boy who proceeds to tie it in, and he does his 

 work as deftly and as neatly as the budder does his (see Fig. 7 i). 

 Taking a piece of budding cotton, or perhaps raffia from about 

 12 to 15 inches long, or longer for large stocks, he binds over 

 the cut, beginning at the bottom, keeping a loose end with which 

 to make his tie at the top. The binding is close to exclude air and 

 wet, but the actual eye or " bud " is left free, being amply protected 

 by the leaf-guard which has been left on for that purpose. Not only 

 is the binding close, but it is also tight, and the celerity and perfect- 

 ness with which experienced boys do this redounds to their credit 

 (see Fig. 90). 



