PROPAGATION OF FRUIT TREES. 205 



Raspberry seeds should be collected from ripe fruits, 

 and be well washed in water to get rid of the pulp. Sow 

 them at once in light, sandy soil, in a cold frame. In 

 spring plant out the seedlings 6in. apart in rows ift. 

 asunder. The following autumn relift and plant in a 

 permanent position, and cut the canes off close to the 

 ground. In the third year the seedlings will begin to 

 bear fruit. 



Strawberries, such as the Alpine kinds, are easily 

 reared from seeds. Separate the latter from the pulp by 

 repeated washings, and then sow them at once broadcast 

 and thinly in a sheltered spot in the garden. Lightly rake 

 the seeds in. Seeds of the choice varieties, saved from 

 fertilised flowers, should be sown in sandy soil, in pots 

 or pans, in a cold frame, as soon as ripe. Transplant 

 the seedlings early 2in. to 3in. apart in boxes, and plant 

 out later in the garden. The former bear fruit the first, 

 and the latter the second year. 



Budding. Budding, or bud-grafting, is a method of 

 propagation employed in the rearing of Peaches, Plums, 

 Nectarines, and Cherries, and also occasionally for the 

 Apple and Pear. It consists of transferring a wood bud 

 from some superior variety of fruit tree to the rind, or 

 bark, of a commoner kind, called the stock. The usual 

 form of budding practised is known as " shield-budding." 

 It is practised in summer on shoots of the current year's 

 growth. The advantage of budding Apple and Pear 

 stocks is, if the buds should fail, grafting can be resorted 

 to in spring. The modus operand* of budding is as fol- 

 lows : 



First of all, the bud is selected from a healthy shoot 

 of the current year's growth. This should be of a fairly 

 plump nature. With the budding-knife cut out the bud 

 in a semi-circular shape from the shoot, and about an inch 

 in length. Next cut off the leaf, leaving the petiole intact. 

 Now, with the point of the knife, seize hold of the wood 

 under the bud, and pull it away from the rind. If a hole 



