PEOPAGATION. 



189 



formed to maintain an independent existence while uniting with the 

 stocks, it is also essential that the bark of the scion should have 

 reached a certain stage of semi-maturity, so as to enable it to 

 separate readily from the wood without bruising or breaking. The 

 latter readily happens with peaches, which have a far more brittle 

 bark than roses. The leaf of the peach should also be cut through 

 in the'middle, as, if left whole, the wood has too much purchase 

 on it, and is apt to injure the bud at its base (Pig. 8). Besides, the 

 surface of the entire leaf causes excessive evaporation, and in the 

 bark and in the buds. The smaller the opening ift the stock, if it only 

 admits the bud with its sheath of bark, the better. The cross out at 



I 



Fig. 4. 



Fis. 5, 



the top of the slit should likewise be avoided (Fig. 9). With a little 

 dexterity the bud is easily placed without it, and the fewer and smaller 

 the wounds made the less risk, and the sooner an^ sounder the union 

 of the bud with the stock. Ties of the very softest bast or 

 of worsted should be used. Everything, in fact, should be scrnpulotiBly 

 avoided that would bruise the parts. Even tight tying is a frequent 

 cause of the future failure and break down of the tree. Stone fruits are 

 so subject to gum and canker that anything likely to produce either 

 should be scrupulously shunned. In nine cases out of ten, probably, 

 these diseases are directly produced by careless manipulation in budding 

 or grafting, or subsequent training. Ties are spoedUy made, and even 

 more speedily forgotten. They are, as a rule, too close at first. As the 

 scions or shoots grow the ties bite into and through the bark. Where 

 nails or shreds are used the case is worse, the risks greater, the injuries 

 more severe and more numerous. Gum or canker follows in the track of 

 wounds, bruises, as surely as night succeeds day. Hence the moment the 

 buds take or unite with the stocks the necessary ties should be first 

 loosened and speedily removed. 



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