STUDIES OF FRUIT -BEARING 29 



There are other and more important differences 

 in this shoot. The buds terminating the branches 

 (e e g) are larger and less pointed than the others 

 are. If they were to be watched as growth be- 

 gins in the spring, it would be seen that they 

 give rise to both flowers and leaves (Fig. 10), 

 while the other buds give leaves only (Fig. 11). 

 In other words, there are two general kinds 

 or types of buds, fruit -buds (that is, flower- 

 buds) and leaf -buds ; and checking the growth 

 induces fruitfulness. 



If the buds on the ends of the branchlets e e g 

 produce flowers, the twig cannot increase in 

 length; for an apple is invariably borne on the 

 end of a branch (which is often so short as to be 

 called a spur) , and therefore no terminal bud can 

 form there. If growth takes place on the twig 

 next year, therefore, it must arise from one of 

 the lower or leaf -buds. The buds terminating the 

 branchlets d d d will stand the best chance of 

 continuing the growth of the twig, for they are 

 the largest and strongest, and are most exposed to 

 sunlight. These failing, the opportunity will fall 

 to one or both of c c; and these failing, the long- 

 waiting dormant buds may find their chance to 

 grow. The reader should see these dormant 

 buds for himself. In other words, there are 

 more buds upon any twig than are needed, but 

 there is, thereby, a provision against emer- 

 gencies. 



