Propagation of the Pecan 51 



when the proper wrapping material was used, gave fairly 

 good results, but at best it was a difficult and severe operation. 

 The cleft-graft, ring-bud and several other methods have 

 gradually given way to the patch-bud, the chip-bud and the 

 bark-graft or modifications of these. These are given in 

 order of their importance, although the best method to use 

 generally depends on the age and size of the stock and the 

 season when the work is to be done. 



Patch-hud. 



The patch-bud, or modified ring-bud, has become the most 

 important method of top-working native pecan trees, and is 

 rapidly replacing the whip-graft in the propagation of 

 nursery trees. Since the discovery by J. A. Evans, while 

 acting as pecan specialist for the Agricultural and Mechanical 

 College of Texas, that the patch-bud could be inserted success- 

 fully in the rough bark of the trunk and large limbs of trees, 

 there is little need of using any other method in top-working, 

 if it were not that the season for working is lengthened by 

 the use of the chip-bud and bark-graft. 



The patch-bud may be inserted as soon as the bark slips 

 freely in the spring and the operator may continue his work 

 until the bark refuses to slip, OAving either to drought or the 

 approach of the dormant period in the fall. If there is abun- 

 dant rainfall during the summer, the budding can often be 

 continued through August; but if a drought begins early in 

 July, it is best to stop in the latter part of that month, 

 even before the bark refuses to slip. Young seedlings given 

 thorough cultivation and vigorous young sprouts usually can 

 be budded with success later than mature trees, especially 

 if the latter stand in sod or pasture land. The best results 



