324 BOARD OF AGRICULTUKE. 



— any bud may become a flower bud, and when it becomes a flower bud 

 deiDends entirely upon circumstances. 



Take this branch (holding branch in hand). The growth commenced 

 at this point two years ago. Some have continued to grow. Here is one 

 that stopped growing early. It possibly developed into a floAver bud. 

 Here is one that may possibly have flowered last year. This one did not 

 do so, because it grew. This one, if it continues to grow, will Anally 

 form a flower; it may be next year, it may be in five years. The case 

 depends very largely, if not wholly, upon nutrition, and the amount of 

 Avater and light. If they receive the right degree of water and the right 

 degree of light, they will form flowers; if they receive more they Avili 

 not form flowers. If Ave undertake to extract water from a tree in order 

 to produce floAvers, Ave shall probalily fai). The l)ranches must be i'n 

 healthy condition or the bud AviJl not form floAA^ers. 



Professor Latta: What is the principle underlying the growth of 

 trees late in the fall? Something was said about late cultivation tending 

 to continue the groAvth. 



Professor Webster: The second groAvth period often occurs in Au- 

 gust. It does not often occur. Just Avhy this second growth period 

 occurs is not very Avell understood, I think. It is possible it may be ex- 

 plained in this way: What cuts off the first season of growth is a short- 

 age of water. The tree in the spring is filled with water. When the 

 groAvth starts it draAVS on the Avater rapidly. Pretty soon it comes to 

 pass that there is not Avater enough to keep up the growth of the leaves. 

 By and by the amount of leaf surface develops, and, taken in connection 

 Avith the fact that the Aveather is groAving Avarmer and drier and evapora- 

 tion is increasing, the tree Avill stop growing for the reason that there is 

 not enough to supply those leaves and continue the groAvth. When this 

 growth ceases, Ave have a reaction. The groAvth has ceased, and the 

 amount of Avater used is less. The roots may be able to accumulate ii 

 little again. If Ave have more Avet Aveather, it Avill again start a second 

 growth. 



Member: Will it not sometimes happen to those in a dooryard Avhere 

 you have all the Avuter you want, and more than you Avant? 



Professor Webster: Very likely it Avould; if a tree receives an al)- 

 normal amount of water, it Avill tend to continue the groAVth, but those 

 trees, as a rule, do not form any flower buds. There is one point that 

 has been lately recognized, that the conditions that make a crop of fruit, 

 a good many of them do their Avork, or act, the proceeding year. For in- 

 stance, the fruit crop for next year will depend very much upon the 

 Aveather this summer. It makes the sultject more complicated, but it is 

 true. The fruit crop for next season has perhaps already been settled. 



