94 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 



incision to open and the bud to dry. This brush is removed 

 later at the point shown in Fig. 7, at a. When the 

 buds start they are very delicate and require to be 

 protected by being tied to the stock, either with soft 

 twine or cloth, as shown in Fig. 9. When the buds 

 have become strong the remaining portion of the 

 stock is sawed off at the point shown in Fig. 9 at o. 

 The cut is then waxed over, or given one or more 

 coats of rubber paint, to protect it from atmospheric 

 action, that the cut may heal over without defects. 



Starting and Training the Buds. — Nursery trees swell very 

 fast in the spring, and three weeks is long enough for the 

 strings to remain on them; but the tops should not be cut off 

 then. The strings should be removed, and the nursery irri- 

 gated and cultivated. This will force new growth, and the tops 

 should then be cut back from four, to eight inches above the 

 bud. After the bud has grown about six inches or more it is 

 tied to the stock. When the bud has become stocky and able 

 to support itself, what remains of the top is then cut away. 

 The cut should be made smooth and waxed over or painted with 

 rubber paint. This helps the wound in healing over and pro- 

 tects the stock from the action of the atmosphere. Buds left to 

 lie dormant through the winter are " started " in the spring, 

 just as soon as the trees begin to show signs of growth. Great 

 care should be used in the cutting of the top, that it be done at 

 the proper time, and that the top be not cut so near the bud as 

 to endanger it. It is advisable to always leave a little foliage 

 on the stock, to avoid a too great shock by the removal of the 

 entire top and its functions, which in many cases causes the 

 death of the bud and the dwarfing of the stock. 



When the stocks put forth in the spring the buds generalh^ 

 start also. The suckers, being very tender, are removed by 

 hand (thumb-pruning), breaking at the touch. Cutting them 

 with a sharp knife has the advantage that no others will grow 

 where so cut, and the cut being made clean will give the tree 

 a smooth body, and as the tree grows very little suckering will 

 be required. When the suckers become strong and are removed 

 by rubbing with the hand, the trunks generally become rough 

 and suckering becomes much greater. 



As the buds continue to grow, they are loosely tied with 



