CHAPTER VII 



WINTER BUDS 



84. What Buds Are. — Because of cold or dry weather, 

 the plant is forced into a period of inactivity. We have 

 seen that it stores food, and is ready to make a quick start 

 in the spring. It also makes embryo branches and packs 

 them away underneath close-fitting scales: these branch- 

 lets and their coverings are winter buds. The growing 

 points of the plant are at rest for a time. In the warm 

 season, the growing point is active, and the covering of 

 scales is not so pronounced. A winter bud may be defined 

 as a resting covered growing point. 



85. A resting bud, therefore, is a shortened axis or branch, 

 bearing miniature leaves or flowers, or both, and protected 

 by a covering. Cut in two, lengthwise, a bud of the horse- 

 chestnut or other plant that has large buds. With a pin, 

 separate the tiny leaves. Count them. Examine the big 



bud of the rhubarb as it lies under 

 the ground in winter or early spring. 

 Dissect large buds of the apple and 

 and pear. (Figs. 55, 56.) 



86. The bud is protected by firm 

 . '" and dry scales; but these scales are 

 Bud of apn- only modified leaves. The scales 



cot showing , . 56. Bud of pear 



the minia- fit close. Often the bud is protected showing both 



ture leaves. by varnish ( see horse-chestnut and ^ a T n he 



the balsam poplars). Most winter buds are latter are the 



^ L ' . little knobs in 



more or less woolly. Examine them under the center. 

 a lens. As we might expect, bud-coverings are most prom- 

 inent in cold and dry climates. 

 (36) 



