t at a.]

Grafts should be selected from well-matured branches of one year's
growth. Fig. 19, No. 1, shows an undesirable scion. The wood is angular,
small, the internodes long, and the pith large in proportion to the
diameter. Either terminal portions of twigs may be used or portions back
of the tip, but the buds should always be well developed, full and
plump--Fig. 19, Nos. 2 to 6. For this reason grafts should not be cut
from wood far back from the tip of the branch. As stated, twigs of the
previous season's growth are generally used, but scions composed partly
of two-year-old wood may be used, provided the growth is not too large.
Fig. 19, No. 3, shows one of these. Grafts are generally cut about five
or six inches long, and should be from one-quarter to three-eighths of
an inch in thickness.

It is best that the grafts be cut while still in a dormant state, and
inserted in the stock just before the growth starts. The scions may be
kept for a considerable length of time by placing them, loosely packed,
in damp moss or sawdust, in a box. The box should be covered over with
earth and the scions kept sufficiently moist to prevent drying out.

For bud sticks, well developed one-year-old branches, one-half to
seven-eighths of an inch in diameter, and on which the buds are well
formed, may be used. Such sticks frequently show three buds at a node,
and if some misfortune should overtake one or two of these, there is
still a chance of success, though the upper one being the strongest is
generally the one which starts, provided it is uninjured and the bud
takes. The degree of maturity of the bud is important, and care should
be exercised that only those which are plump, full and well developed,
are used. As soon as removed from the tree all bud sticks and grafts
should be wrapped in damp newspapers to prevent drying out.

TIME.

Grafts should be inserted in spring just before or at the time growth
starts. Buds may be inserted any time during the period when the bark
will slip readily. Last year's dormant buds may be inserted early in the
season, or buds of the current season's growth may be used during the
latter part of July and the month of August, at which time they have
become fully matured in the southernmost parts of the Gulf States. The
time may even be extended into September. Very many of these
late-inserted buds remain dormant during winter and begin growth in
spring.

BUDDING.

_Annular Budding._--A r