204 



FRUIT CULTUBE. 



can be obtained. But the time of most cer- 

 tain success is when the summer growth is about 

 to cease and the flow of sap will be less abun- 

 dant. Both the buds and the sap will then be 

 in best condition for a speedy union. Upon cut- 

 ting the scion from which the buds are to be 

 taken, the leaves should at once be cut, leaving 

 about a quarter of an inch of the foot stalk of 

 the leaf, which will be long enough to hold the 

 bud. After the foliage is removed these scions 

 may be kept several days without injury, if 

 wrapped in damp cloth, or in moss. 



The different steps in the process of budding 

 may be seen in the figures. With a keen, thin 



blade the bud 



is cut from the 



scion, as seen in 



Fig. 21. The 



length of the cut 



varies, but in 



general is about 



half an inch 



above the bud, 



and slightly 



longer below. 



F'g 21. As little wood 



as is possible should be cut with the bud, and 



when it does not adhere firmly it may be re- 



