CHAPTER IV 



HOW TO BUD AND GRAFT. 



In transferring a scion of some choice variety to a new and 

 independent life on a strange stock, there are two modes of pro- 

 cedure — either to bud or graft the one upon the other. 



Grafting and budding are ahnost identical, save in the mode 

 of approach of scion to seek ; in the former whole twigs, or even 

 large branches are used as scions ; in the latter, only the little dor- 

 mant buds that lie jjerdu in the axil of every leaf : in grafting, 

 the top of the tree is cut oti', usually close to the ground : in the 

 latter, only the tips of the growing l)rauches are pinched off, — 

 and right there lies the secret of the universally preference for 

 budding over grafting, for if the bud refuses, as we may >ny to 

 suckle — its foster mother the tree is not iDjured in the least, and, 

 if the season permits, another trail may be made at once : while, 

 if the graft fails, the stock has at best been put back -d year or 

 two in its growth, and indeed, may never recover from tlie shock 

 at all. 



The operation of propagation varieties Ijy budding is full of 

 mystery and wonder ; we take a tiny bud. not even developed so 

 as to be visible to the eye, but given a growing leaf, we know 

 that it conceals this embryo bud at its base: we cut a slit in the 

 bark of a tree, and cutting off this tiny bud. slip it into the aper- 

 ture — and from this invisible germ a great tree in time springs 

 forth, bearing fruit like unto its parent I Hovr is it done ? AVe 

 know that it just as we know that our hearts beat, our lungs 

 inflate, we can see the outward result, and watch its progress, but 

 as to what mysterious inner force is at work to accomplish the 

 marvelous result, who can say '/ 



We know that it is the cambium, or proper jidce of vegeta- 

 bles, that serves as the means of junction between the scion and 



* By permission of the Florida AgricuUnrist. :ii which this chapter was 

 originally pul)lished. 3<^t 



