GRAFTING AND BUDDING. 



137 



natural moisture which they may have lost. The nurseiyman, 

 who prepares in the evening scions to be used next day, leaves 

 them all night in cool grass or in a damp cloth. Should water 

 not be at hand, the scions should be buried entirely in soil 

 until they are required for use. They should not, however, be 

 left unused for more than twenty-four hours. Scions of ever- 

 greens shouM not be stripped of their leaves; these should 



Removing the Bud. 



merely be cut off through the middle of the blade, although 

 even this is not absolutely necessary. 



Removing tlie Bud. 

 The shoot is held in one hand and the grafting -knife in the 

 other. The bark is then cut through about half an inch or so 

 above and below the bud (as at /, /, E). Then holding the 

 shoot, as shown in the illustration, the blade of the knife is 



