190 PROPAGATIOSr OF PIAITTS. 



hour or two before wanted for use, in order to increase tlieii: 

 pliableness and softness. The inner bark of other kinds 

 of trees besides the Basswood is sometimes used for this 

 purpose, also woolen yarn, strips of cotton cloth, cotton 

 wicking, etc., but Bass is more extensively used than any 

 other material. In selecting buds the young shoots of 

 the present season's growth are usually preferred, and 

 these should be taken from the most healthy and thriving 

 branches. The leaves should be immediately removed, 

 leaving a portion of the leaf -stalk attached, as shown in 

 figure 12. If the leaves have fallen from the twig, it is 

 usually thought to be too ripe for use, but in some in- 

 stances such buds may be used with success. If there 

 are any soft, immature buds on the upper part of the 

 shoot, or any undeveloped ones at the base, they should 

 be rejected. But success in budding depends very largely 

 upon the condition of the stock at the time the operation 

 is performed. Unless the sap is flowing, and in sufficient 

 abundance to allow the bark to part, or peel, freely and 

 easily from the wood underneath, the bud is certain to 

 fail. If the buds should happen to be a little over-ripe, 

 or wholly dormant, if placed in direct contact with the 

 living tissues and thin juices of the stock, they will 

 absorb moisture and nutriment, and they are far more 

 likely to unite and live than under opposite conditions. 



To become an expert in budding, the following rules 

 may be observed : Take the branch in the left hand with 

 the small end pointing under the left, arm ; insert the 

 knife blade half an inch below the bud, cutting through 

 the bark and a little into the wood ; pass the knife under 

 the bud and bring it out above it, taking off the bud with 

 the bark, and a thin slice of wood attached, as at c, figure 

 72. Then (if using the Yankee Budding Knife) let the 

 forefinger clasp the lower part of the blade, make the . 

 horizontal incision m the stock first and from this an in- 

 cision downward about an inch long, being careful not 



