32 FRUIT GARDEN COMPANION. 



they are of the greatest importance in their opera- 

 tion, besides being designed by nature as a protect- 

 ing screen to the young shoots and fruit ; being of 

 such importance then, it is highly requisite that every 

 attention should be paid to the keeping of leaves 

 clean from any insects, disease or other detrimental 

 causes that shall either weaken or retard their growth, 

 particularly in their infant state, for at that stage of 

 their growth they are naturally thin and tender, and 

 hence whatever attacks them proves more injurious 

 than when they are in a more mature state. Whilst 

 on the subject of the leaf, it will be proper here to 

 say a few words on the too severe and injudicious 

 manner of taking many leaves from grape vines and 

 trees when in a state of vegetation ; this when done 

 to an extreme, is certainly an act of violence inflicted 

 on nature, by the plants being deprived of their most 

 useful organs when they are the most needed to sup- 

 port vegetation ; besides, the young branches and 

 fruit are hastily exposed to the influence of the 

 sun in a manner that is very injurious to them. 



The cultivator should always consider leaves of 

 of trees as the most essential organs, and requiring 

 every attention to be kept in good order for the well 

 being of the tree. 



ART. 4. On the Bud. 



The buds of trees are termed by botanists the Hy 

 bernacula or winter quarters of plants ; they are form- 

 ed in the summer, and properly fed and nourish- 

 ed preparatory to the winter by the descent of sap 

 in the fall. " 



Buds of trees are of three kinds, namely, those 



