Propagation of the Pecan 59 



to cut a notch across the stock one-half mch in depth and 

 one to two inches long, two to three inches above the 

 bud. When this is done, the bud nsually forces without 

 snch a severe cutting back of the top, until time for complete 

 removal. 



When the bud starts into growth, the young shoot gen- 

 erally makes a very rapid growth and soon becomes brittle 

 and top-heavy. To prevent its being broken or blown off, it 

 should be staked, when about four inches long, to the stock 

 above. Heavy twine should be used and care taken not to 

 girdle the young rapidly growing shoot. When the young 

 shoot is about two feet long the stub above it should be cut 

 and a wooden stake driven into the ground to which the shoot 

 should be tied for support. 



Tn working over trees with the patch-bud method the large 

 native limbs forming the top should be cut away gradu- 

 ally, the last cutting not being made until the second or 

 third year after the first buds are inserted. A few limbs 

 should be left unbudded to help support the tree until the 

 new top is developed, when they should be removed en- 

 tirely. 



Some of the advantages of the patch-bud are: A larger 

 percentage can usually be made to grow because the cambium 

 layers touch at all points, on both bud and stock; the work 

 can be done over a longer period of time ; stocks can be used 

 from young seedlings to mature trees; if the bud fails to 

 take, the stock is not damaged by cutting back; it is not as 

 expensive of buds as when cions are used ; a very slight wound 

 is made when the bud is inserted so that the place can heal 

 rapidly; there is a wider range in securing budwood than 

 with anv other method. 



