PROPAGATION OF FRUIT TREES 271 



complete. If the ties are not loosened they will cut into the stock and arrest its 

 growth ; a resting-place for insects is thus formed, and the hold of the scion is 

 also weakened. The scion should be protected by a piece of split wood tied to 

 the stock and the new scion-growth be supported by it, that high winds do not 

 damage it. If the growth of the scion exceeds 1^ feet it should be stopped ; it 

 is thereby strengthened. With dwarf trees a stake 3 feet long should be firmly 

 placed in the ground and the new growth tied to it, so that the new tree 

 may grow perfectly straight and upright. 



Budding. — The leaves should be cut off above the leaf-stalks from those 

 shoots which are to furnish buds, and about 6 inches of the tops may also be 

 cut off the shoots ; place the ends in water. The stock is then prepared by 

 making an upright cut i^ inches long and a transverse cut in a smooth portion, 

 the two cuts together forming the letter T. The edges of the bark are then 

 lifted (by the flat end of the budding knife) to receive the bud. The bud is cut 

 out of the shoot by a bow-like cut and the ends gently bent, so that the woody 

 central portion can be extracted. The bud is then inserted under the cut lips 

 of the T-insertion as far down as it will go, with the " eye " upwards ; press 

 it down by applying the ivory end of the budding knife to the base of the leaf- 

 stalk. If a portion of the bark protrudes beyond the T it is cut away, so that 

 the " lips " fall over and envelop the bud entirely. Then lightly wind round 

 with raffia, leaving the dormant bud exposed. After about fourteen days, if 

 the leaf-stalk falls, the cut does not open, and the bud looks green, the ties 

 must be loosened ; later they can be removed altogether. It is important to 

 note that the tiny neck or " pin " of the bud remains entire when the woody 

 portion is removed ; if that comes out when the wood is removed the bud 

 will die. Therefore empty buds should not be inserted. Practice alone will 

 insure celerity and good work. In the following April the bud will begin to 

 grow ; the shoot is then tied loosely to the stock to insure its growing upright, 

 and in the late autumn or early spring the stock is cut away just above the 

 bud in a sloping direction. 



Layering. — This is accomplished by selecting a shoot towards the base of 

 a bush or tree and placing the central portion a few inches below the soil, so 

 that the shoot forms the letter U. The lowest point should be first notched 

 so as to encourage the formation of roots and be well secured beneath the 

 soil. 



Stocks for Apples. — For orchard standards the Crab or Free apple stock 

 may be used. For garden trees either the English or Dutch Paradise stock, or 

 Rivers' Broad or Nonesuch varieties of it. None of these four stocks has any 

 real advantage over the other, but the smaller growing apples best fit the first 

 two, and the strong and sturdy ones the two latter. 



Pears for Orchards. — These trees should be upon the Pear stock, which 

 may also be used for espalier and other free-growing garden trees. But for 

 cordons and pyramids the Quince stock should be used, as upon this the 

 trees come into bearing very much more quickly. As " mothers " for double 

 grafting, Conseiller de la Cour and Marie Louise D'Uccle are suitable. 



Plums. — The two reliable stocks are the Brompton and the Mussell, the 



