MICTllOUS Ol- ]iUDJMNG 



259 



the average is probably about ten. The leaf buds near 

 the tips of the twigs are generally not mature enough to 

 be safe to use, so they and the flower buds are thrown 

 away. Flower buds are plumper and more pointed than 

 leaf buds, so are easily recognized. 



The buds are cut from the bud sticks with a thin- 

 bladed, razor-edged knife, usually as follows ; With the 

 bud stick held in one hand (Fig. 202), the knife is started 

 about three-fourths inch above or below the bud, accord- 

 ing to the preference of the operator, and a cut through 

 the bark into the wood is made toward the operator's 

 body until a bud with about an inch of bark and wood is 

 almost severed from the twig. The knife is then with- 



FIG. 204 — VARIOUS STYLES OF BUDDING KNIVES 



A, florists*; B, D, knives with closing blades and bone bark lifters; C, E, 

 ,;losing Mades without bark lifters; F, 0, H, styles of stationary bladed nursery 

 budding knives. 



