Nursery Grafting. 79 
work with what is called a “pushing bud.” This process, as 
described by a distinguished French authority, consists of retard- 
ing the growth of the buds on the scions by burying them in 
the ground until the sap is starting well in the stock in the 
spring, and then putting them in, trimming off the top of the 
stock so as to force the bud into growth. In this way the grower 
of a rare variety may secure trees for planting out the follow- 
ing winter, or he may secure a stock of buds for fall budding, 
and thus multiply his stock of a desirable variety very rapidly. 
A modification of this method consists in taking buds in the 
spring when they have grown out even half an inch, and inserting 
them by the usual method -of lifting the bark, when the sap is 
flowing well in the stock. Then cut off about half the stock, so 
as not to give the bud too much sap at first, and afterward, 
when it is seen to have taken well, the balance of the stock is 
cut off near the bud. This method gives a tree the first season 
and saves a year over dormant budding. Shade and protection 
from dry wind are desirable. 
GRAFTING. 
The next process of propagation to be considered is that 
by grafting. Its success, as with budding, consists in bringing 
the growing wood (inner bark or alburnum) of the scion into 
contact with the same layer of the stock. It can be applied to 
any part of the tree, from the topmost branch to the lowest root, 
as is the case when new trees are made from scions and root 
fragments. Thus grafting pertains both to the production of 
young trees for planting out and to the transformation of old 
trees bearing worthless fruit into producers of choice varieties. 
Grafting for the production of young trees is first in order. 
Instead of budding the seedling during the first summer of its 
growth, it may be allowed to complete its season’s growth, and 
drop its leaves. When thus dormant the young trees are taken 
from the ground, the roots rinsed off with water if the ground 
is wet and sticky, or merely shaken free from clinging earth if 
ina dry time. Enough trees are dug at once to graft at a sitting. 
The grafting can be done at the work-bench in the tool-house 
or barn, and if one is pressed with other daylight work, it may 
be done by lamplight at the kitchen table, if the housewife can 
be conciliated for the muss it will make. 
Care of Scions.—The scions should be previously selected, 
and whether taken from trees on the place or brought from near 
or distant sources away from the farm, should have been placed 
as soon as procured in moist earth on the north side of the 
house or other building, where they will keep cool and damp 
until one is ready to use them. At the ‘East and in parts of 
