BUDDING. 
179 
admit the passing of the ligature between and above both. This completed, detach 
a bud, not cutting, as directed, to the depth of half the wood, but by passing the 
knife from an inch or more below the eye to half an inch above it, just so deep as 
50 insure the raising of so much of the wood, particularly under the eye, as shall 
jause that part to be at least level with, if not rather prominent, above the parts 
ibove and below it. Then — always bearing in mind the necessity of a complete con- 
;act of the part below the eye, and the wood of the stock — pare away the lower 
3dges of the shield, removing any protruding wood at either extremities, and, indeed, 
jvery where else, excepting that portion of it which attaches to the eye, about its 
)ase. In budding roses, it is prudent to detach the whole of the leaf from its 
talk, because the shield and bud being small, and little juicy, a transpiring 
urface, as is that of the leaf, may carry off moisture too rapidly ; but with larger 
i,nd more juicy subjects, like those of the pear, apple, and cherry, practical men 
eave one- third of the leaf. 
The bud being ready, it is to be slipped tenderly into the stock, guiding, and 
asing its course by the finger, and the haft of the knife, so that it slide centrally 
inder the lips of the long cut, and be equally lapped over and guarded by them. 
’ "he shield is to be passed down till the eye itself be below the cross cut, and then, 
molding it at the stalk, the little projecting bit of bark at the upper part is to be 
'ut quite level across, and made to rest accurately against the edge of the rind of 
he stock; the bark of the scion and that of the stock thus touching each other. 
Ls it is of great consequence that the bud with its bark pass glibly down the slit 
ind of the stock, many persons moisten its inner surface, by drawing it over their 
|mgue, and as, in fact, the first principle of success is pressure, like that of the 
loistened leather of a boy’s sucker, this apj)lication of saliva will be of some 
?rvice. 
As to the ligature, we know of nothing better, upon the whole, than a soft, but 
ery strong and pliable strip of wetted garden-mat. Such a strip, one quarter of 
'a inch wide, being ready, and the bud duly inserted, the bark at the top of the 
it should be closely pressed against and over the bud, just where the two edges 
tin ; and then, holding the tyer by iis two ends, — the loop being under the stock 
exactly below the bud, — bring it up towards the edges of the slit, so as to grasp 
|id draw them towards each other, thus closing in the bud and binding it down, 
iross the strip, pull firmly right and left, carry the ends towards the back, lacing 
jid crossing it at every movement till it pass below the slit ; then work upwards, 
id tie in front. Three precautions are required : first, to see that the strip entirely 
vers the cross cut, and a little space above it ; then, that the eye be not bound 
)wn, but have freedom to swell ; and, lastly, that the pressure be firm and equal 
Dm top to bottom, sufficiently so to make every part of the shield touch the 
|P-wood of the stock without wounding the tissues or forcing juice to ooze 
I Dm them. 
Jf a bud so prepared and inserted fail, there must be some error in judging 
