28 N.J. Agricultural Experiment Stations Bulletin 356 



Rate of Growth as Affecting Fruit-Bud Formation 



Where slow, but vigorous growth occurs and the reserve food is 

 stored up early, fruit-bud formation also takes place early and the 

 buds become large and plump before winter. Such trees mature and 



Fig. 16 — Same Tree as in Figure 15 Showing Condition Later in 



the Season 



shed their foliage earlier than rapid, late growing trees. Rate of 

 growth thus determines the time and degree of maturity of the twigs 

 and fruit buds as well as of the fruit. A very weak, slow growth 

 may result of course in small, poorly developed fruit buds. Trees 

 that mature their fruit and fruit buds early in the fall tend to start 

 into growth more promptly in spring than rapidly and late growing 

 trees. 



Effect of Girdling Upon the Size and .Maturity of the Fruit 

 We have been noting the normal fruit development ©f the peach 

 under varying conditions or rates of growth and certain abnormal 



