72 HORTICULTURE FOR SCHOOLS 



to the variety propagated. Healthy twigs about the size of 

 a lead-pencil or smaller are cut from the tree, wrapped in 

 moist cloth to prevent drying, and taken to a shady place 

 for the preparation of the bud-sticks. In the preparation 

 of the bud-stick, the leaves are cut off in such a manner as 

 to leave a small portion of the petiole with each bud as is 

 shown in the illustration (Fig. 44). This protects the bud 

 as it is pushed down in the bark of the stock. The prepared 

 bud-sticks are cut into convenient lengths and placed in 

 bundles with the large ends together. The bud-wood should 

 be used as soon as possible, but may be kept for several 

 days if stored in a cool place, and covered with moist wrap- 

 pings. In some instances bud- wood is kept for several 

 weeks. Orange bud-wood is frequently stored in this way 

 in moist sphagnum moss wrapped in burlap. The bud- 

 sticks may be prevented from drying out in the field by 

 wrapping them in moist burlap or heavy bags. If the large 

 ends of the bud-sticks are near the open end of the wrap- 

 ping, the sticks can be pulled out as needed without dis- 

 turbing the remainder of the bundle. 



The part of the twig usually possessing the best buds is 

 shown in Fig. 44. The buds near the tip are usually spongy 

 and are not so good as those further back. The buds near 

 the base of the twig are usually not well developed and 

 hence are not suitable. 



110. The operation of budding. Individual budders 

 differ in many minor points which are matters of personal 

 preference, but the main parts of the methods are the same. 

 The following is a description of one of the methods of shield- 

 budding. 



111. Position. Plate II shows the proper position for 

 the budder. When many trees are to be budded, the budder 

 usually works with one knee on the ground and rests his 

 shoulder over the other knee to relieve the strain on his 

 back. 



