CUTTING BUDS 231 



Budding is usually performed in the North during late 

 summer and early fall, while in the South it is frequently 

 performed in June. It may be done at any time of the 

 year when mature buds can be obtained and the bark 

 slips readily. When spring budding is practiced 

 in the North, the buds are secured from twigs 

 of the previous season's growth ; but with late 

 summer work, the buds are secured from grow- 

 ing twigs of the present season. 



Selecting Buds. Twigs from which the buds 

 are selected are known as bud sticks. Strong 

 twigs of the present season's growth are selected 

 for bud sticks. As these twigs are usually cut 

 while still in foliage, it is necessary to keep them 

 from wilting. Usually the leaves are clipped at 

 once to lessen the transpiration of moisture. 

 About half an inch of the petiole of the leaf 

 beneath each bud is left on to serve as a handle 

 while inserting the bud. The weak buds at the 

 tips of the branches are generally discarded 

 unless the number is limited, as sometimes 

 happens in propagating new varieties. The bud 

 sticks should be wrapped in moist cloth as soon 

 as cut and kept in a cool place until ready for 

 use. 



Cutting Buds. From a bud stick, a bud with Fig. 124. A 



i i < f i'ii bud stick 



a piece of bark is cut out in the form of a shield showing 



method of 



about an inch long. The cut should be deep buds ngthe 

 enough to remove but a small portion of wood 

 that is cut away with the bud. Some grafters prefer to 

 remove this wood before inserting the bud in the stock 

 while others do not. If the bud has been cut very deep, 



