OBSERVATIONS ON BUDS. 



189 



Fig. 231 1. 



{a) Three. year-old fruit spur of Lombard Plum. 

 Fruit buds clustered around end of spurs. 



{b) Another of the same, after ten or twelve 

 years growth. The rings show annual increase in 

 length. 



in growth by beingf planted on poor soils 

 usually begin bearing sooner than those 

 growing- more vigorously upon moist rich 

 soils. Apple and pear trees which have been 

 stunted and made dwarf by grafting on 

 slow-growing stocks usually begin fruiting 

 in one-half the time that the same varieties 

 do when allowed to grow unchecked as 

 standards. 



The transformation of leaf buds to fruit 

 buds can sometimes be prematurely brought 

 about on a single branch of a tree by tying 

 it down so as to check the vigor of growth 

 at the extremity. 



The time required for the development of 

 fruit-buds varies with the different kinds of 

 fruits. In the peach and apricot, the trans- 

 formation takes place during the latter part 

 of the first season of growth, and fruit is 

 borne the second season ; while in the apple 



and pear the change does not apparently 

 take place till the second season. The bud 

 that year produces a cluster of leaves, en- 

 larges considerably, and bears blossoms and 

 fruit the third season. 



Fruit-Buds Distinguished From Leaf-Buds. 



One of the most striking differences in the 

 appearance of the fruit-bud which distin- 

 guishes it from the leaf-bud in its rounder 

 and plumper form. This may easily be 

 noticed when examining a branch of any of 

 the stone fruits, such as the peach and 

 cherry, Figs. 2309 and 2310. In the kernel 

 fruits, such as the apple and pear (Fig. 2312), 

 the fruit-bud has the distinction of being the 

 prominent bud on the end of the fruit-spur. 

 In the plum and cherry, where the fruit-buds 

 are usually grouped around the end of the 



Fig. 2312. 



Pear Fruit Spurs, showing sears where fruit has 

 been borne, and fruit buds on end of spurs which 

 should bear again. 



