, which are to be worked by whip grafting,
should be less than one inch in diameter. The method is illustrated in
Fig. 24. A sloping cut, an inch and a half long, is made diagonally
across the stock. A corresponding cut is made on the scion, a tongue is
raised about the center of each cut by making another cut with the
budding knife held almost parallel to the sides of the wood. The tongue
is raised a little on both stock and scion and the two are shoved
together. They should be securely bound with a strip of waxed cloth, and
a layer of wax should be spread over the whole, covering up all the cut
surfaces to the exclusion of water, air and the germs of decay.

[Illustration: _Photo by J. F. Jones._

FIG. 25. One year Pecan in fruit. Unusual; due to bearing wood being
used as a scion.]

The scion and stock are preferably chosen of nearly the same size, but
a scion somewhat smaller than the stock may be used, in which case the
cambium layers along one side of the surfaces in contact should be
placed opposite each other, and the projecting portion of the stock
trimmed off.

AFTER-CARE.

In from ten days to three weeks, the buds should unite. They should be
examined, and if union--indicated by the full, plump condition of the
buds or the commencement of growth--has taken place, the wrappings
should be removed. If growth has started, the stock should be cut off or
lopped just above the insertion of the bud, in the case of budded trees.
From time to time the trees should be examined, and all sprouts which
might rob the bud of sap, thereby preventing its growth, should be
rubbed off.

FOOTNOTES:

[I] The term grafted, as here used, embraces budded trees as well.

[J] Bulletin 30, Bureau Plant Industry, U. S. Dept. Agr., 1902.

[K] Farm and Ranch, Dec. 3, 1904.

CHAPTER VII.

TOP-WORKING PECANS.

Many of the pecan trees planted in groves have not fulfilled the hopes
of their planters. These trees, raised from large selected nuts, for
which the planters paid a dollar or more per pound, have not come true
to seed. Some are irregular, shy bearers; others, when they do
condescend to produce a few nuts, bear small-sized, inferior nuts, not
larger than ordinary playing marbles, while some produce a large crop of
good marketable nuts. Some are unhealthy, subject to the attacks of scab
and rosette. It goes without saying that such pecan plantings are
unprofitable. What is to be done with them? Briefly, this: C