Stems and Their External Features 113 



U. S. Dept. of Agriculture (J. Craig) 



FIG. 67. Baldwin apple orchard, showing trees with the branches thinned to 

 increase the production of fruit. 



Fruit trees and grapes have been found to produce more 

 fruit, and fruit of a better quality, when the number of branches 

 is small. A smaller number of branches on a tree secures an 

 open crown and permits the sunlight to penetrate to every 

 leaf, and the removal of some of the branches forces the de- 

 velopment of flower buds which might remain dormant if 

 the terminal and branch buds were allowed to grow uninter- 

 ruptedly. In grape culture, only four or five branches are 

 allowed to remain on a vine each year, and these branches are 

 shortened. This insures full development for a few of the 

 flowering branches and the production of the best quality of 

 fruit. 



Leaf scars and bud scars. The leaf scars on some plants 

 are round ; on others they are narrow lines ; on most plants 

 they are crescent-shaped. Usually they are smooth, except 



