BUDDIXG 



67 



inserting it in the stem or bnmch of another plant. A condition 

 necessary to success is that the sap be in active circulation, so that 

 the bark may detach itself readily when gently lifted from the 

 wood. This is found to take place best where very marked seasons 

 of growth or " Hushes " occur. In equatorial regions, \vh-re the 



A Bl'lJDINc; KNIFE. 



seasons are not so marked as in temperate countries, the operation 

 of budding is not always successful. There are various forms of 

 budding, each better adapted to particular circumstances, as Shield 

 or T-budding, Flute or Tube-budding, and Annnhir or Ring-budding. 

 The first-named form is the one chieHy practised for roses and fruit 

 trees. The modus operandi is thus : Select a shoot well furnished 

 with plump dormant buds from the plant desired to be increased ; 

 cut off the leaves at half the length of the leaf-stalks. Remove a 

 bud from the shoot by entering a knife i an inch below the bud, 



between the inner bark and the wood, 

 sloping the knife outwards above the 

 bud. The small portion of wood 

 taken with the bud is carefully re- 

 moved. In the bark of the young 

 shoot in which the bud is to be insert- 

 ed, make an incision in the. form of a 

 " T." Raise the bark carefully, push 

 the bud gently into the opening, 

 bind it securely to exclude air, leav- 

 ing only the point of the bud exposed. 

 Dull cloudy weather and morning or 

 evening are the best time for bud- 

 cling, and the operation must be 

 performed as quickly as possible, as 

 both bark and bud are injured if ex- 

 posed to the air for any length of 

 time. Special knives are supplied 

 for the purpose, and an instrument 

 known as the " bud-transplanter " may also be employed. 



FIRMIXGER said : " In the upper Provinces of India budding 

 is performed with great facility at two seasons of the year ; but, 



KKCTANCH'I.AK PATCH -Kt'DDlXCi 

 OK MAN(K). 



