56 



PROPAGATION OF THE RCE. 



is that called " spring budding," by which the bark of the stock, as 

 early in the season as it will separate from the wood, is cut like the. 

 letter T inverted, (thus, , ) as shown by a, in the adjoining figure ; 



wnereas, in " summer budding," it forms a T in its erect position. 

 The horizontal edges of this cut in the stock, and of the "shield bark" 

 containing the bud, should be brought into the most perfect contact, 

 as denoted by >/ because the union of the bark in spring takes 

 place by means of the ascent of the sap ; whereas, in summer budding, 

 it is supposed to be caused by its descent The parts should then 

 immediately be bound with water-proof bass, (c,) without applying 

 either grafting clay or grafting wax. The buds may be inserted either 

 in a healthful branch, or in a stock near the ground. In general, two 

 buds are sufficient for one stock, and these should be of the same 

 variety; as two sorts seldom grow with equal vigor. The bass 

 ligature, which confines the bud, may be removed, if the season be 

 moist, in a month after budding ; but if it be hot and dry, not for six 

 weeks at least. As soon as the inserted buds show signs of vegetation, 

 the stock or branch containing them should be pruned down, so as to 

 leave one or two buds or shoots above. If the stock is allowed to 

 have a leading shoot above the inserted buds, and this shoot is not 

 shortened, the buds inserted probably will not show many signs of 

 vegetation for several weeks. 



