108 



made leaves and began to grow while the tree to which it was 

 attached was perfectly dormant (Fig. 71). 



* 



■X- 



Kot only are the buds ready-formed and ready-fed, but they are 

 covered. Snngly is the growing point protected. Pnll away the 

 scales of a winter bud one bv one. Observe how closely thev are 



71. — Branch of a tree hearing leaves inside a icindow, when the 



tree itself is dormant. 



placed. Often the chinks are filed with a packing of wool, or are 

 scaled with varnish. Dip the bud in water : then see if the water 

 permeates the covering. The chief value of the bud-covering is not 

 to protect from freezing, as commonly supposed, but to prevent the 

 soft growing parts from drying out. 



* * 



* 



The plants are waiting for spring. They are ready. 



500 



