CHE REFERENCE LIBRARY - Pole Shift Survival Information

124 7’HE .V URSEIt I'-ilILt N (!.‘I (1
the work of t,licb budder, as in the quitict~, arc to be cut off at
the same time.
The bnd is instbrt(‘(l an inch or two above the ground, or as
low down as the buddrr can work. The advantage of setting
the hurl low is to bring the resulting (*rook or un’ion
whttrc it will not h.2 seen, ad to eliahlo it to he set
lwlow the siirfaw of the ground wlitw the tree is
trmsphted, if the planter so desires. It is a common
and good pra.&c, alSO, t,o ~~i;tW the hid 011 the
wrth side of the stock to shield it. from the sun.
The buds are ttlkc’ll from strong and well-hardened
s;tloots of the seasolI’s growth and of the variety it is
dt:sirt~cl to propagate. I ‘sually the whole of the
present growth is cut, the leaves are removed but
:l part of the petiole or stalk of each leaf is left (as
in Figs. 130 and 1X3) to serve as a handle to the bud.
This trimmed shoot is then called a Wick.” A
stick ma~r bear two dozen good buds when the growth
has 11ee11 strong, but only ten or twelve buds are
c~:~nrnonly obtained. The upper buds, which are
usunll~~ not fully grown a,nd are borne on soft wood,
are general 1 y discarded.
The buds are cut with a thin-bladed sharp knife.
Various styles of budding-knives are in use (Fig. KM),
FIG. 1x3. and the budder usually has preference for a particular
Et.ick ()f pattern. The essent.ials of a good budding-knife are
buds (X:J* tllese : the very best steel, a thin blade with a curved
or half-circular cutting end, which is light, a,nd handy in shape.
The curved end of the blade is used for making the incisions
in the stock. The handle of the budding-knife often runs into
a thin bone scalpel at the end, and this part is designed for
the lifting or loosening of the bark on the stock. The operntion
of raising the bark by means of this scalpel is often
called “ boning.” Some budders, however, raise the bark