The banner-enterprise., 1883-05-31
THE FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.
Budding Fruit Trees.

Budding Fruit Trees.
AL farmers, 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 so easy tc
acquire and affords so much satisfac-
ton in the practice that the wonder is
everybody who owns a few feet of
ground does not acquaint himself with
the practice.
The preference is now given to
budding oyer grating in the majority
of cases-frst, because of the great
rapidity with which it may be accom-
plished !; second, the more convenient
season at which it is done; third, the
fact that the operation a be per-
formed without injuring 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 as peaches and %apricots,
which require extra skill in grating,
but which are budded with east
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
a branch composed of several buds is
employed with a considerable quantity
of bark and wool, while in budding
but a single bud with a small quantity
of the adjoining bark and wood is
used.
What is known as shield or T-bud-
ding is largely practiced by our best
pomologists. Having decided on the
part to be budded. select asmooth spot
and make an upright incision in the
bark from one inch to one and a half
inches long and at the top of this
make a cross cut, 50 that the whole
shall form a I. From a stick of buds
cut a thin, smooth slice of wood and
bark containing a bud. With the
rounded end of the knife next raisethe
bark on each side Of the incision Just
wide enough to admit the prepared
bud. Taking hold of the tootstalk of
the leaf insert the bud under the bark,
pushing it gently down to the bottom
of the incision. If the upper portion
of the bud projects above the horizon
tai part of the L 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 a fortnight after the bud
ding its success or failure will be APP
If it has succeeded and the
is a good deal swollen, loosen or
remove the b~anlage, Ii 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. \ 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 same 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 I
Df July until the middle of September, 1
and the earliness at which a species is '
Judded dep%ends-other things being q
,qual-on the condition of its growth. l
Those accomplishing Their growth 5
cary in the season are budded early S
ind those that grow until the autumn
ire budded late. In all cases it is
necessary that the hu $ be perfectly
developed in the axis of the leaves on ,
he young shoots intended to bud from l
md the bark must raise freely from '
he stocks to be bulded. =
The chief difficulty experienced by d
leginners is the proper removal of the :
,ud. but a little practice will enable l
he builder to overcome this with other
mechanical obstacles. There is no bet I
er way to acquire a knowledge of the I
Ietails than to watch an eXner' as he v
toes through the performance of I
electing and preparing the buds and Ii
nseIting them,-NeW York World. a