40 



buds. Sometimes axillary buds remain inactive for a long period of 

 time without losing their vitality. Such are known as dormant buds. 

 During their dormant period they remain on the surface of the trunk 

 by the elongation of their connection with their point of origin. A 

 superabundance of food, excessive light, or the death of a great 

 number of terminally located buds, may stimulate them into activity 

 again. A great number of these buds are often found along the 

 stem of such species as Chestnut and Rock Oak. They develop into 

 short branches which are known as "water sprouts." Some buds 

 are produced at rather unusual points, and in irregular positions 

 along the stem, and are called adventitious buds. They also form 

 "water sprouts." 



One finds a wide variation in the size and form of the buds which 

 our common trees produce. Some are long and slender; others are 

 short and stout. Some of them are round in cross-section; others 

 are angular. Some are sharp-pointed; others are blunt-pointed. The 

 buds also vary in the manner of their insertion on the twigs. Some 

 are inserted directly on the twig; others are separated from the 

 twig by a stalk, and still others may be almost entirely covered by 

 the twig. The former are called sessile buds, the next stalked buds, 

 and the latter imbedded buds. 



The kind of buds which a tree produces is of considerable import- 

 ance, especially where fruit trees are considered. Three principal 

 kinds of buds may be distinguished: leaf buds, also known as vege- 

 tative buds, the contents of which will develop into stem and leaves; 

 mixed buds, the contents of which consist of leaves and flowers in 

 their formative stage; and flower buds, also known as propagative 

 buds, which contain the elements of flowers only. How can one find 

 out what kind of buds are at hand? The buds may be cut open 

 by means of a sharp knife and their contents studied with the aid 

 of a magnifying glass. One may also take a twig and place it in 

 a jar of water in a warm room and in about a week the buds will 

 have expanded far enough to reveal the nature of their contents. The 

 twig with its buds may also be left on the trees and its development 

 observed in spring when nature opens them. With all this varia- 

 tion in the position, insertion, form, structure, and kind of buds we 

 still find here, as in all nature, law and order. 



5. LEAVES : 



The shoot of a seed plant consists of stem and leaves. The leave^ 

 of our common trees are excellent distinguishing characters by which 

 the species may be recognized. They are variable in form. This 

 variation, as well as the work they do, is little appreciated by the 

 crowds which annually seek their shade and shelter. This chapter 



