PREPARING STOCKS FOR BUDDING.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 9, 11 January 1908, Page 6

PREPARING STOCKS FOR BUDDING.

February is the best month for budding most of our fruit trees, but the stocks, whether young or old, have to be got ready some time before to ensure a high average of takes amongst the buds. Buds are inserted only into young wood, which means ■that when an old tree has to be budded -fresh young shoots must be induced to form for the reception of the buds. Now is'the time to select such shoots as may be wanted for budding later on. They should be given room to develop plenty of healthy leaves, and at the same time retain a soft mellow bark, which will .carry well-matured sap till the close ol the summer. Young stocks of pmm, near, apple and quince will need thinning to a single shoot. Apricots and peaches coming from stones usually throw but a single shoot, and there is little to be done to them previous to the time of budding. The a c J llJ7i. of the root governs the work ot budding- for apart from careful Selection, adjusting and tying of buds, anything like irregular root action prevents the buds from adhering to the stocks. Plenty of water and cultivating should therefore be available during the whole of January, for ft young stock. cannot well be too strong, whilst , a weak and hard growth can yield no useful tree.