or Buds are produced in Trees and -Woody Shrubs.' 423 



origin of the whole of the buds which are developed upon the trunks 

 and branches of trees. 



• Let us take a twig of the apple or pear tree, the growth of the 

 present year. It will be observed that the leaves are arranged on 

 this young branch in a peculiar spiral form. Cut the twig at one 

 or both ends, so as to leave only eight of these leaves upon it ; and, 

 on measuring this portion, it will be found to be in general not less 

 than five, nor more than nine inches in length. Suppose it to be 

 the least of these dimensions, viz. five inches. 



It is well known that the buds are axillary, produced betwixt the 

 leaf stalk and the stem ; and, consequently, the number and disposi- 

 tion of the buds or germs are determined by that of the leaves.* 

 Here, then, we have eight germs or leaf-buds in the space of five 

 inches. That we have no more has been already shown by the 

 practical observations of Loudont and Forsyth, J who find that no 

 germs are produced upon the shoots betwixt the eyes or leaf buds. 

 The author of the treatise on vegetable physiology in the Library 

 of Useful Knowledge, has therefore accounted satisfactorily for the 

 manner in which these eight buds or germs may be protuded upon 

 the bark of trees within the space of five inches ;^but it is well known 

 to practical horticulturists that when an old tree is headed down, 

 instead of eight buds more than forty buds are frequently produced, 

 within the like space. Where, then, do the remainder originate ? 

 This will form the subject of our present inquiry. 



The manner in which the author of the treatise on Vegetable 

 Physiology, now referred to, has explained the progress, and the pro- 

 trusion on the bark of the old stem or branch, of the primary 

 germs or buds originally formed upon the twig, is perfectly satis- 

 fsictory, and will be found to be confirmed by actual observation. 

 Coinciding, therefore, with his theory so far as it goes, I expect to 

 be able to demonstrate that the remaining germs produced when an 

 old tree is headed down, originate in these primary buds. To en- 

 able me to do so, it will, however, be necessary to recur shortly to 

 the anatomy of the bud. 



Buds are described by De Candolle|| as consisting of the rudi- 

 ments of the young shoot, enveloped in coverings formed of the fo- 

 liaceous organs, sometimes in their natural state, but oftener con- 

 verted into scales by a species of abortion occasioned by their posi- 

 tion. The scales of the buds, therefore, may be considered to be 

 deformed leaves. But, as has been already stated, in the axilla of 

 of the leaf, or betwixt the leaf-stalk and the stem, the germs or 

 buds of the apple and pear tree are produced. Nor is this pecu- 

 liar to these species of trees, but the observation is applicable to 

 most of the trees and woody shrubs distinguished by botanists 



• De Candolle, Organographie Vegetale, Tom. II. p. 218. 



t Enc. ofGard. 1885. 



J Forsyth on Fruit Trees, p. 71. .< 



jl De Candolle, Organographie Vegetale, lib. iv. cap. 6. 



VOL. II. 3 I 



