The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1883-05-25
THE FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.
Budding Fruit Trees.

All farme s, it is natural to suppose,
know the art of budding, but begin
ners there are in large numbers who
have it yet to learn. 1t is sc easy to
acquire and affords so much satisfac-
ton in the practice that the wonder is
everybody who owns q few feet of
ground does not ~acquaint himself with
the practice.
The pr ference is nov given to
budding e grating in the majority
of cases first, because of the great
RAJ idity with which it may be accom-
plished second, the more convenient
season at which it is done third, the
fact that the operation can be per-
formed without in Turing the stock in
case of a failure. which is always
more or less liable in stocks headed
down for grating fourth, the oppor-
tunity which it affords, when per-
formed in good season, of repeating
the trial on the same stock. TO these
several advantages may be added
Budding is preferred for all stone
fruits, such us peaches and apricots,
which require extra skill in grating,
but which are budded with ease.
Budding, in its nature and effects,
differs not in the least from grating.
Each bud is a distinct individual,
capable of becoming a tree under
favorable circumstances. In grating
Il branch composed of several buds is
empl ytd with a considerable quantity
of back and wood, while in budding
buc a single bud with a small quantity
of the ad Joining bark and wood is
used.
What is known as shield or T-bud-
ding is largely practiced by our best
ponologists. Having decided on the
part to be budded, select a smooth spot
and m Ike an upright incision in the
bark from one inch to n and q half
inches long and at the top of this
make Il cross cut, so that the whole
shall form a T. From a stick Of buds
cut a thin, smooth slice of wood and
bark conta mig a bud. With the
rounded end of the knife next raise the
bark ON each side OF the incision Just
wide enough to admit the prepared
bud. Taking hold of the footstalk of
the leaf insert the bud under the bark,
pushinJ it gently down to the bottom
of the incision. If the upper portion
of the bud projects above the horizon
tai part of the 7 cut it smoothly off
that it may completely fit. Next tie a
bandage over the wound, beginning at
the bottom and tying firmly above,
leaving the end and foot-stalk of the
leaf only exposed to the air.
In about Il fortnight after the bud
ding its success or failure will be ap-
par mt. If it has succeeded and the
stock is a good deal swollen, loosen or
remove the bandage. If it has failed
and the bark still parts readily, make
another trial. Strings for tying in the
buds are largely taken from bass mats,
or they are prepared from the bark of
the Eastwood. a poor quality of cot
ton wicking is also a suitable material
for this purpose.
No specified time can be given for
budding fruit trees, for much depends
on the age, condition and location of
the tree, maturity of the buds, the sea-
son, etc. Buds may lie inserted in
June and make considerable growth
the sa ne season, as they do in the
South, but, as a general thing, this is
not desirable in the propagation of
fruit trees. The ordinary season in
the Northern States is from the middle
OF July until the middle of September,
and the earlincss at which a species is
budded depends-other things being
equa-on the condition of its growth.
Those accomplishing their growth
ear Y in the season are budded early
and those that grow until the autumn
are budded late. In all cases it is
necessary that the BUGS be perfectly
developed in the axis of the leaves on
the young shoots intended to bud from
and the bark must raise freely from
the stocks to be budded.
The chief difficulty experienced by
beginners is the proper removal of the
bud, but a little practice will enable
the builder to overcome this with other
mechanical obstacles. There is no bet
ter way to acquire u knowledge of the
details than to watch an eXper5 as he
goes through the performance of
selecting and preparing the buds and
inserting them.-NtW York World.