212 



GARDENING FOB THE SOUTH. 



the whole leaf with half of the leaf stem is removed to 

 prevent evaporation. If this is done as soon as they are 

 cut, they may be preserved several days in a closely cov- 

 ered tin box, or tightly corked preserve jar, if in a cool 

 place, and indeed, if the wood is well ripened, though the 

 footstalk of the leaf will drop, the bud will be in perfect 

 condition some weeks. No water need be given if there 



are several cuttings 

 in the box, as the 

 air becomes suffi- 

 cient ly saturated 

 with moisture from 

 the cuttings them- 

 selves. 



The strings used 

 for tying are taken 

 fro m bass mats, 

 which should be 

 wetted before use, 

 until perfectly pli- 

 able. Better strings 

 are made of white 

 woollen y a r n , as 

 they are more elas- 

 tic, and the color re- 

 flects the heat. The 

 pruning and budding knives are the only implements 

 required for the operation. The condition of the budding 

 knife is of importance to success. It should be made thin, 

 and the edge kept perfectly smooth and keen. The mode 

 in which budding is performed is shown in Figure 85. 



Having the implements, stocks, and buds in the proper 

 condition, take the shoot in the left hand, and the bud- 

 ding knife in the right. Insert the edge of the knife in 

 the shoot, half an inch above the bud to be taken off. 



Fig. 85— Budding. 



