CALIFORNIA AVOCADO ASSOCIATION 



83 



The seedling tops are cut back gradually to start the bud into growth, 

 always allowing a few leaves to remain to aid in keeping up the flow of sap above 

 the bud. The avocado will not stand the complete topping, so often practiced 

 in citrus work. The bud should be at least six inches high and contain some 

 mature wood before the entire stubbing can be made. This is most satisfactory 

 if practiced through the cool months of spring. 



After the bud is started, it should be tied with raffia every few weeks in 

 order to make a straight trunk. The seedling top can be used to good advantage 

 in this work until the bud is large enough to require staking. 



The suckers and heavy branches should be kept off until the tree reaches 

 a height of 24 to 30 inches, when it will generally form a perfect head of four 

 or more branches. Stock grown in this manner soon shades itself and makes a 

 beautiful, well shaped tree. 



The only way to carefully transplant budded avocado nursery stock is by 

 balling. Careful handling of the balls, hardening off in a lath house and great 

 care in shipping are extremely important to obtain the best results. 



2. TOP WORKING BY BUDDING 

 T. U. BARBER 



In budding over old or large trees the first operation is to cut back the 

 trees half to two thirds, leaving several large limbs and some foliage. It is best 

 to place the buds in the main trunk wherever possible, allowing the new head to 

 be formed from one bud, thus making it possible to form a more perfect structure 

 from a mechanical standpoint. It is well to place two or three buds in a ring 

 around the trunk to be bound in by the same cord. After these have grown the 

 most suitable one may be selected for the new head. 



Budwood sticks for topworking large trees should be of large caliper and 

 the eyes plump, large and well formed. Cut the buds longer and with more 

 hard wood than in those generally used in nursery work. The top of the bud 

 shield should be cut off square and fitted closely to the cross cut on the incision. 

 For wrapping sixteen ply white cotton string should be used, being careful to 

 pull it absolutely tight, completely covering the incision and wrapping very close 

 to the bud without covering it. Too great care can not be used in wrapping, as 

 this is one of the most important features of top budding. 



Never remove the strings until they show serious cutting of the bark; leave 

 them on for at least two months or more if possible as seventy-five per cent of 

 the buds placed in heavy bark are lost through spreading after premature removal 

 of the wrap. 



After the buds have been in from four to six weeks sucker growth should be 

 removed to force the bud growth. It will be necessary to tie up the new buds 

 in a careful way as they make a very soft, vigorous growth. 



The old trunk and heavy limbs must be protected from sunburn by either 

 a loose wrapping of burlap or heavy whitewashing, burlap being the most 

 practical. 



Pruning in order to shape and stock up the bud and relieve it of over- 

 weight to prevent breakage is necessary. 



