52 Pecan-Growing 



are secured early in the spring when the stock is vigorous 

 and still contains part of its reserve food. The healing of 

 wounds is much more satisfactory at that time. 



The stock may vary from young nursery seedlings the size 

 of a lead pencil to large trees several feet in diameter, although 

 extremes should be avoided. In order to heal over satisfac- 

 torily, the diameter of the stock where the bud is inserted 

 should not exceed four inches. 



Prior to the discovery that the patch-bud could be placed 

 in rough bark, it was necessary to cut back the tops of large 

 trees and allow new growth to take place before the buds 

 were inserted. This required that the top be removed before 

 growth started in the spring, and it was generally the first 

 of July before the new growth was mature and large enough 

 for budding, thereby limiting the budding season to only a 

 few wrecks. When inserted at this season the buds were gen- 

 erally allowed to remain dormant until the next spring. 



Three distinct classes of buds are used in patch-budding: 

 First, the reserve bud; second, the dormant; third, the cur- 

 rent-season bud. 



On every normal pecan tree a considerable number of buds 

 do not force out with the beginning of growth in the spring. 

 Most of these never force out, usually dropping from the limbs 

 the second or third year, unless actually needed by the tree 

 to replace some injury. These are usually well developed buds 

 and are generally more numerous near the beginning of a 

 year's growth. They are to be found on one-, two- and three- 

 year-old w^ood. Those on one-year-old wood are to be pre- 

 ferred. These reserve buds have the advantage over all other 

 kinds in that they can be cut fresh from the tree any time 

 during the budding season. It is necessary, however, in 



