Managem en t of Nit r series. 145 



careless workmen, is sure to result in their failure. Re ot-graft:n 

 the pear only succeeds when strong seedlings, with well branchec 

 roots, are taken, and the whole plant used, inserting the graft at the 

 collar and wrapping with muslin plasters. 



Nearly all other stocks are budded. The time for budding varies 

 much with the kind of tree, and with its condition. To prove suc- 

 cessful, it must be done when the bark of the stock lifts freely from 

 the wood, and also when the inserted buds have been sufficiently 

 matured. The cherry, in general, requires budding on the mazzard 

 stock, about midsummer ; but sometimes the growth of the stock 

 continues so late that it may be done near the close. The Mahaleb 

 continues to grow later, and the budding may be correspondingly 

 deferred. On the common stock the plum requires early budding ; 

 the wild or Canada plum, used for dwarfing, continues to grow much 

 later. The operation may be performed on the apple at any time 

 between the maturity of the inserted buds and the decrease in the 

 growth of the stocks. The same remark will apply to the pear on 

 pear stocks ; as the latter is frequently struck with leaf-blight, which 

 at once checks growth, it is safest to bud the standard pear early. 

 The peach and the French quince are worked towards the close of 

 summer and the beginning of autumn. As the removal of leaves 

 from a tree in full growth always checks it, the stocks should have 

 the 'side shoots cut away to facilitate the operation of budding when 

 necessary, some weeks before it is done, that they may recover 

 entirely from its effects and be in a vigorous condition for the lifting 

 of the bark. If this has not been seasonably attended to, it may be 

 performed without detriment the same day the buds are inserted, 

 cutting away as little as may be convenient. 



It is hardly necessary to remind the operator of the importance 

 of securing good, well ripened strong buds ; of keeping the shoots 

 well shaded and fresh during the day ; and of carefully registering 

 every variety, both by tally stakes at the ends of the rows and in a 

 book kept for the purpose. 



The best and handsomest trees are made when the buds are 

 inserted within two or three inches of the ground. Dwarf pears 

 should be budded at the surface. Crooked growers are sometimes 

 worked on straight stocks three or four feet high. 



Where buds fail they should be rebudded if the stocks will 

 admit ; but if not, they should be grafted the following spring. 



In heading down budded stocks in spring it is important that it be 

 done quite early or before the buds swell, especially for the pear, 

 plum, and cherry, which are severely checked in growth by the loss 



