DIFFERENT PARTS OF A TREE. 33 



which contain the blossom in embryo, as in the ap- 

 ple and cherry ; and those in the same kinds of fruit 

 trees, denominated the wood bud, which are intend- 

 ed to give leaves and branches the ensuing spring ; 

 and thirdly, those kinds which contain the young 

 wood and flowers under the same cover, as in the 

 grape, and most kinds of running vines. These 

 buds are all carefully protected by nature with a 

 hard scaly cover to shield them from the winter's 

 severity; however, in many cases the blossom buds> 

 as in the peach, are winter killed in the Northern 

 States, but it rarely happens that the wood bud is 

 affected unless the whole branch is injured. 



The maturation of buds, is of great importance, 

 because the succeeding crop of fruit in the ensuing 

 season depends much on the fruit buds being formed 

 sound and plump, particularly in the grape and 

 peach, for if the buds are not well formed in the 

 fall, it is an almost certain cause of failure of a crop 

 of fruit in the next spring. 



There can be no general rule, so far as I know, 

 laid down for the maturing and forming of fruit 

 buds. The best thing to be done is to be careful 

 and keep up as regular a flow of sap as possible 

 during the growth of the young wood, for it must 

 be recollected that the feeding of the bud is essen- 

 tially necessary at this time, in order that it have its 

 proper quality, which can only be obtained from 

 the soil and atmosphere ; hence we find that many 

 young trees and those which are in a feeble state, in 

 dry seasons seldom form their fruit buds so as to 

 blossom freely, or strong enough to bear fruit the 

 ensuing season. Trees in a growing state should 

 also be kept clean of insects, which enfeeble the bud, 

 3 



