PROPAGATION BY BUDDING AND GRAFTING 131 



in early summer, while they are yet growing rapidly. It is 

 employed at the South, where the stocks can be grown to 

 sufficient size from seed by the last of June or first of July. 

 Small stocks are usually employed those ranging from one- 

 fourth to one-third inch being preferred. A few strong leaves 

 should be left on the stock below the bud, and after the bud 

 has "stuck" the whole top should not be cut off at once, else 

 the growing plant will receive a too severe check. It is best 

 to bend the top 

 over to check its 

 growth, or to re- 

 move the leaves 

 gradually. The 

 bandages should 

 not be left on 

 longer than six to 

 ten days if the 

 stock is growing 

 rapidly. To pre- 

 vent the constric- 

 tion of the stem, 

 muslin bands are 

 sometimes used in- 

 stead of bass or 

 raffia. In hot and 

 dry climates the 

 buds should be set 

 an inch or two 

 higher in June- 

 budding than in 

 the ordinary practice, to escape the great heat of the soil. 

 June-budding is practiced on the peach more than any other 

 tree, although it can be employed for any species that will 

 give large enough stocks from seed by the June following the 



Shield-budding. The bud tied ; new 



growth of bud tied to stock (the following spring) ; 

 stub completely removed. 



