140 FLOWER-GARDENING. 



more highly developed ; but the reverse is frequently the case, 

 as in Fuchsia, Ribes sanguineum, etc. 



153. A flower being, then, an axis surrounded by leaves, it 

 is in reality a stunted branch; that is, one the growth of 

 which is checked, and its power of elongation destroyed. 



154. That flowers are stunted branches is proved, first, by 

 all their parts, especially the most external, occasionally revert- 

 ing to the state of ordinary leaves ; secondly, by their parts 

 being often transformed into each other ; and, thirdly, by the 

 whorls of flower-buds being dislocated and actually converted 

 into branches whenever anything occurs to stimulate them 

 excessively. 



155. Their most essential distinctive character consists in 

 the buds at the axillae of their leaves being usually dormant, 

 while those in the axillae of ordinary leaves are usually active. 



156. For this reason, while leaf-buds can be used for the pur- 

 pose of propagation, flower-buds cannot usually be so employed. 



157. Being stunted branches, their position on the stem is 

 the same as that of developed branches. 



158. And as there is in all plants a very great difference in the 

 development of leaf-buds, some growing readily into branches, 

 others only unfolding their leaves without elongating, and 

 many remaining altogether dormant, it follows that flower-buds 

 may form upon plants of whatever age and in whatever state. 



159. But to produce a general formation of flower-buds it is 

 necessary that there should be some general predisposing con- 

 stitutional cause, independent of accidental circumstances. 



160. This predisposing cause is the accumulation of sap and 

 of secreted matter. 



161. Therefore, whatever tends to retard the free flow of 

 sap, and causes it to accumulate, will cause the production of 

 flower-buds, or fertility. 



162. And, on the other hand, whatever tends to produce 

 excessive vigor, causes the dispersion of sap, or prevents its 

 elaboration, and causes sterility. 



163. Transplantation with a partial destruction of roots, age, 



