56 Pecan-Growing 



through the corners so as to prevent hanging when the bud 

 is lifted out. The bud should be prepared in the same way. 

 The bark on the stock should be lifted carefully until entirely 

 free and then pressed back in place. The bark should be 

 removed quickly from the stock and the bud promptly 

 inserted. It is very important to make the transfer rapidly 

 so as to prevent the drying out of the exposed cellular tissues. 

 The bud should fit snugly into its new location, held firmly 

 in place with the thumb, and tied with a cotton string. 

 From five to eight wraps should be made to each bud, and 

 the string drawn tightly enough to hold it firmly against the 

 stock. Eaffia, dampened corn shucks, and cloth strings can 

 be used for wrapping material, but cotton twine is just as 

 good and is cheap and easy to handle. It is important to 

 have the string cut and ready to use so as not to cause any 

 delay. 



Another method of cutting the patch-bud is giving good 

 results when employed by careful operators. The two parallel 

 cuts are made as described above, but only one vertical cut 

 in the center. The bark is lifted back on either side, the bud 

 inserted, and instead of the bark being removed it fits down 

 snugly over the sides of the bud. In preparing the bud the 

 parallel cuts are made and then the sides cut at an angle 

 of about forty-five degrees, thus enabling the bark of the stock 

 to fit over them more snugly. 



As soon as a bud is tied into position all cut places should 

 be waxed carefully. When thick bark is pared down all the 

 cut surface should be covered with wax to prevent cracking. 

 The buds should be closely watched and the string cut so as 

 to prevent binding as the stock increases in diameter. Instead 

 of applying the wax directly to the bud, w^ax cloth may be 



