THE ORCHARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20762, 3 January 1931, Page 7 (Supplement)

THE ORCHARD.

BUDDING AND GRAFTING. As the season for budding fruit trees is again drawing near some attention should be given to varieties that have failed to meet the requirements of the growers, and that are intended to be renewed by;budding with more approved varieties. Although the season for budding usually extends until well into March, or even later with young vigorous growing trees, so much depends upon the age, size, and condition of the trees that no fixed time can be set. The work of budding itself is a simple operation, providing the trees are growing freoly and the bark can bo easily raised for the insertion of the bud. In this matter trees vary considerably. Older trees or those that are carrying full crops of fruit, often cease to make growth long before younger and more vigorous growing varieties, so that careful watching is necessary to perform the work at the time when success is most likely to result. BEST POSSIBLE RESULTS.

In budding or grafting the work in every instance is done with the view of securing the best possible results, and to obtain a tree that will produce tho best value in fruit. This, however, can only bo attained when they aro worked upon stocks that are known to suit the varieties treated. Budding, too, can bo more successfully performed with some varieties of trees than by grafting, particularly with such kinds as peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots or quinces. Another advantage is that peaches and nectarines can be reworked with other varieties of fruits if desired, such as the plum, apricot or nectarine, as each succeed well when worked upon this stock. As already stated budding is a simple operation and may bo performed by anyone having a slight .knowledge of tho work, providing the operation is performed at the time when the bark separates freely from the wood. SELECTION OF BUDS. At the time of budding select thrifty, well-developed buds of the present season's growth. Care must be taken not to select buds that will develop into flowering buds only, for even if such buds take a flower only may be produced but no other growth. The flowering buds are invariably more round anrj prominent than a wood bud, and can generally be detected on most trees. With such varieties as peaches, nectarines and Japanese plums there need be little risk in taking a flowering bud only, as on must shoots triple buds are produced. These are always the safest to take, as the centre bud is invariably a wood bud, -and is almost certain to start into growth. APPLES AND PEARS.

Apples and pears succeed equally well budded or grafted. The difficulty, however, with large fruit-bearing trees is to find sufficiently small branches to admit of budding; but the size of branches does not prevent successful grafting if done at the proper season. It is surprising how a tree that has failed to make satisfactory growth can often be reinvigorated by budding or grafting with some other strong, vigorous growing variety. The whole character of the stock appears to alter with the strength and vigour of the scion. As the time for budding happens at the height of the fruiting season, no mistake need bo made in selecting the most suit-, able varieties when a change by budding is decided upon.