190 



FRUIT CULTURE. 



can be obtained. But the time of most cer- 

 tain success is when the summer growth is about 

 to cease and the flow of sap will be less abun- 

 dant. Both the buds and the sap will then be 

 in best condition for a speedy union. Upon cut- 

 ting the scion from which the buds are to be 

 taken, the leaves should at once be cut, leaving 

 about a quarter of an inch of the foot stalk of 

 the leaf, which will be long enough to hold the 

 bud. After the foliage is removed these scions 

 may be kept several days without injury, if 

 wrapped in damp cloth, or in moss. 



The different steps in the process of budding 

 may be seen in the figures. With a keen, thin 



blade the bud 

 is cut from the 

 scion, as seen in 

 Fig. 21. The 

 length of the cut 

 varies, but in 

 general is about 

 half an inch 

 above the bud, 

 and slightly 

 longer below. 

 Fig- 21. As little wood 



as is possible should be cut with the bud, and 

 when it does not adhere firmly it may be re- 



