68 



GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



dampened, when put in the box. In general the buds take 

 much more kindly when a bit of the leaf is left on at the 

 insertion. 



The strings used for tying are taken from bass-mats, 

 which should be wet until perfectly pliable, before use. 

 Better strings are made of white woollen yarn, as they 

 are more elastic, and the color reflects the heat. The 

 pruning and budding knives are the only implements 

 required for the operation. The condition of the budding- 

 knife is of importance to success. It should be made thin, 

 and the edge kept perfectly smooth and keen. A figure 

 of it is given in the list of instruments. 



Having the implements, stocks, and buds in the proper 

 condition, take the shoot in the left hand, and the budding- 

 knife in the right. Insert the edge of the knife in the 

 shoot, half an inch above the bud to be taken off. The 

 bud is taken off with a drawing cut, parallel with the shoot, 



