Ill 



through the budding season, darning wool or rafia fibre are often 

 used for tying the bud. 



FORCING THE BUDS. 



After 10 to 12 days the buds are examined, and if plump, 

 green, and alive, they are allowed to remain covered for another week 

 or two, when the ties can be removed entirely. If the bud is dead, 

 a fresh one can be inserted in a fresh cut. Left too long, the tie 

 may cut into the growing tissues of the stock and smother the bud. 

 If it is desired to force the buds, the tops of the branch on which 

 the bud has been inserted is partly cut off 10 to 12 inches above 

 the bud, once it has been ascertained that the bud has taken. A 

 brush of foliage is left on the resulting stump to drain the sap 

 beyond the bud, which at the same time will assimilate some of it 

 and will soon start to grow ; unless this is done, the stump may die 



(A) The brush left on tho stock to induce the bud to start, by acting as 

 suctions drawing up the sap. (u) The stcck. (c) Point where the bud may 

 be tied to protect it from breaking. (D) Point where the old stock is to be 

 cut away, the dotted line beiow it indicating how much the- bud is endan- 

 gered by cutting lower than this line. 



