970 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



cover the h'gature with grafting-wax, leaving, as above-mentioned, 

 an opening for the bud. 



Flute-Budding (Fig. 630) is a method occasionally employed, 

 but presents a little more difficulty than "f -budding. It consists 



in peehng off a ring of bark from the stock 

 just under a terminal bud, or eye, and 

 replacing it by a similar ring or cylinder 

 provided with a bud or two taken from an 

 ordinary scion. It can only be successfully 

 performed during the spring. The bud should 

 always be placed on a clear portion of the 

 stem, free if possible from knots. In the case 

 of very choice plants it is advantageous to 

 shade the bud, which can easily be done by 

 fixing a large leaf over it. 



General Hints. — When budding, a certain 



Fig. 630. Flute- number of shoots of the scion may be pre- 



BuDDiNG. viously prepared and kept in water, but care 



must be taken to dry them perfectly before 

 attempting to remove the bud. It is also advisable, if budding 

 has to be largely performed, to have the matting or suitable 

 worsted already cut into lengths ; this prevents loss of time in the 

 closing of the cut. It is on the quick performance of the 

 operation that success depends, and by no means should the 

 cuts of the bark or the bud be allowed to dry. The buds 

 should be taken from the middle of the shoot ; the top ones 

 are generally not ripe enough, and those fo.und at the base 

 are too ripe and will therefore not succeed or grow so 

 readily. 



Treatment after Union.- — -As soon as the union is noticed, 

 and the bud begins to swell, it is a first necessity to remove the 

 ties before they begin to cut into the bark ; and if the buds 

 begin to grow during the same season they should be pinched 

 back to within three or four eyes after having been allowed to 

 make some growth. The remaining buds will thus be able to 

 ripen well before the winter. The time required for a perfect 

 union and the first sign of growth varies between a month and 

 six weeks. The branches of the stock should be gradually 

 reduced, enabling the sap to be sent into the bud as it grows, 

 and the following year they may be entirely removed, leaving 

 only the shoot of the scion. The latter, after a season of growth, 

 should also be shortened, and again the following season, until 

 the desired form of bush or tree is obtained. 



Stocks. — The selection of the stock On which the scion is to 

 be inserted or budded is a very important item, particularly 

 in regard to fruit-trees, for if it is not suitable the result will 

 be nil. Stocks also vary a great deal in regard to the soil 



