114 



performed on a stuinp of any age, and on more canes than one, and 

 it can be renewed during the same season on some other joint, in 

 case of in success. 



For early spring budding, cuttings from the previous season's 

 growth are buried in the cool moist sand to retard their growth, and 

 they are inserted directly the sap is in full flow and the bark easily 

 lifted from the wood. 



Whichever method of budding the vine is used, it is desirable 

 to fasten the tender young shoots to a stake as they grow in length, 

 as they are very easily disjointed when young. 



PRUNING. 



Several objects are aimed at when pruning. It helps to 

 control the growth of the plant and train it in such a way that the 

 operations of cultivation, of treating and dressing the trees and 

 vines whenever required, and of gathering the fruit, are made easier 

 and less costly. It equalises the wood and fruit production $f the 

 tree, checking the one to favour the other if need be, suppressing 

 rank growth of the boughs or limiting the productiveness of the 

 plant in such a way that the quality is not affected by the excessive 

 quantity of the fruit crop. 



It checks the growth of suckers, water sprouts, and unsightly 

 knobs and enlargements along the stem and branches ; it tends to 

 keep the plant in a thriving and healthy condition, promoting the 

 growth of luxuriant foliage which tend to shelter the fruit and 

 limbs from sunburn. 



PRUNING OUTFIT. 



The tools required for pruning are few, but it is essential that 

 they should be of the best quality and of a type suitable for the 

 work to be done. It is also essential that they should be kept in 

 good order, sharp and smooth, as a jagged or a blunt blade will 

 inflict upon the wood bruises and injuries which will either cause 

 the sap to sour and the limb to die back or will delay the healing of 

 the wound, and thus leave a door open to the entrance of the fungi 

 of canker and other moulds productive of rot and decay. 



Secateurs, or pruning shears, are easier to handle than the 

 pruning knife. They do the work quickly, neatly, and without 

 giving a jerk to the branches of fruit trees and vines as does the 

 pruning knife. 



The first illustration represents Rieser's Secateur, which can 

 be procured in Perth. It is sold with a duplicate blade, made of 

 well-tempered steel, the prong is made of chilled steel, the tool is 

 nine inches long, strongly made and well finished. 



The second illustration shows two types of secateurs and a 

 handy pruning saw. The longer pruning shears, 15 to 17 inches 

 long, is a two-handled one and a very powerful tool, suitable for 



