58 



STRUGGLE AMONGST BRANCHES 



main axis, not on side branches ; and the "ring" (scars of bud-scales) 

 marks the junction between the different years' growth. Notice this 

 ring in Fig. 83. The teacher will find many twigs worked out in "Les- 

 sons with Plants." Figs. 91-95 show an actual case. These drawings 

 were all made with the greatest care from one elm twig. The twig 

 (Fig. 91) shows three years' growths. The side branch is evidently 

 only one year old, for it did not arise until the twig which bears it 

 was one year old. Note that only one of the buds made a branch. 

 There are five blossom buds. Fig. 92 shows the twig in bloom. 

 Fig. 93 shows it in fruit and leaf. Fig. 95 shows the net result. The 

 side branch grew from a to s and made two blossom buds. The tip 

 of the main shoot (Fig. 91) was broken in a storm. The two buds 

 next in succession grew. Each made flower buds. Observe how 

 many buds on this elm shoot have failed. 



Crushed by storm, the tree still shoots upward. 



