n 



fiOETICULTTTRAL MANUAL. 



the ligature begins to be observed. With a sharp knife 

 the raffia iibre is cut on the side opposite to the bud. 

 With the stone fruits it is necessary to retie above the 

 bud. If this is not done the bark below the cross-cut will 

 roll outvi^ard, often causing the death of the bud before 

 spring. 



In late fall at the North it is safest to bank up the 

 stocks above the bud with the plow for 

 winter protection, finishing the irregulari- 

 ties with a hoe. Quite early in spring the 

 banking is raked down and the top cut 

 off so as to leave a ring of bark above the 

 cross-cut. If cut too low the upper part 

 of the bud is apt to be dried up and 

 often the whole bud. Some propagators 

 cut so as to leave a stub, as shown in Fig. 

 40, to which the growing shoot is tied to 

 keep it erect. Others cut four inches 

 above the bud at first, and then, after the 

 bud has made some growth, cut so as to 

 leave a ring of bark as above stated. But 

 long experience has shown that it is best 

 to cut by sloping the cut upward from 

 above the cross-cut. On weU-established 

 stocks the growth from the bud is often 

 so strong, especially with the plum, that 

 staking is necessary to give an erect 

 growth. The small stakes if cared for can be used several 

 years in succession. 



76. June Budding. — What is known as June budding at 

 the South gives salable trees of the peach and other trees 

 the first season from three to five feet in height. The 

 budding is done about the middle to the last of June on 

 stocks grown from the pits planted in very early spring. 



Pig. 40. — Stub 

 left for tying 

 the young 

 shoot. 



