68 
THE FLOWER GARDEN. 
By Division. — Division is another simple mode of pro- 
pagation. Lift the plants in autumn or March, and divide 
the roots into several portions, each having roots attached. 
When dividing hardy perennials, also, choose the outer 
portions of the plant for replanting, these being more 
vigorous than the centre or original plant. In the case 
of bulbs remove the offsets only. 
By Budding. — Budding is an easy operation, once its 
principles are fully grasped. The chief point is in the 
selection of the bud. The bud should not be too little or 
too fully developed. To obtain a bud use a keen knife, 
and commence about iin. above and cut out a semi-circular 
piece, finishing ^in. below the bud. Cut off the leaf also 
to within iin. of its base. Turn the bud over, and with the 
point of the knife and thumb seize the wood at the upper end 
just beneath the bark, give it a gentle pull so that it comes 
away and leaves the bark only. If, when removed, a hole is 
seen beneath the site of the bud, discard it and get a fresh 
one. If the next shows no hole the bud is a good one, and 
you have what is known as the “shield,” to place in your 
mouth to keep moist till it is ready to be inserted into the 
stock. The next business is to select a shoot of the current 
year’s growth, and on the upper side of this, close to its union 
with the stem, make a longitudinal slit in the bark iin. long. 
At the upper end you then make a cross incision half-way 
round the shoot. With the ivory blade of your budding- 
knife lift the bark on each side, then take the shield out of 
your mouth, insert the lower end under the bark and gently 
press it along till it has reached the bottom. Close the bark 
neatly over, and then bind round worsted or bast fairly firm 
below and above the bud. Do this in July or early in 
August, and late in September loosen the ligature. If your 
operation has been successful the bud will look plump and 
fresh, and will grow next spring; if not, it will have a black 
and shrivelled look, and will not grow'. See the different 
genera for stocks and other details. 
