THE TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF APPLES. 77 



tance, and refers to whether they are raised above the surface or eveii with 

 it. This is best determined by rubbing gently the surface of the two-year- 

 old wood, or well-matured wood of the current season's growth, with the 

 finger or thumb. 



Wood. — • The color of the fresh-cut wood will generally be greenish or 

 yellowish. Experience in pruning or whip grafting will soon demonstrate 

 that varieties vary much in the hardness of their wood. It may be deter- 

 mined — as hard, medium or soft — by cutting a branch about one-half 

 inch in diameter. The flexibility is judged by bending a small branch 

 thus sho^\dng whether it is stiff, medium or flexible. Tliis character is of 

 practical importance as indicating the danger of the tree breaking under 

 a load of fruit. The diameter of the pith may vary somewhat, and may 

 be said to be narrow, medium or wide. 



Buds. — The buds are best described from near the middle of the current 

 season's growth and during the dormant season of the trees. We note the 

 size, whether small, medium or large; their form, whether roundish, oval, 

 ovate or slender; and their color, usuallj^ some shade of brown or red. Their 

 position with respect to the shoot may vary, so that the buds are appressed 

 or clinging closely to the shoot, or they may he free. The surface may be 

 pubescent or smooth. 



Leaves. — ■ The leaves of different varieties of apples are very character- 

 istic, and offer oi^portunities for identification almost equal to the fruit, 

 especially if observations can be made during the middle or the latter part 

 of the summer, after the leaves have assumed their characteristic forms. 

 It is necessary to use great care in the choice of specimens for description. 

 Those near or just below the middle of the current season's growth should 

 be chosen. Leaves growing on spurs from older wood should be ignored, 

 as they are apt to be variable and quite unlike those on the free-growing 

 shoots. Upright shoots well exposed to light and air, such as those in the 

 topmost part of the tree, are to be preferred. The leaf is divided into 

 stipules, petiole and blade. The petiole may be long, medium or short, and 

 in size it may be slender, medium or stout. The color may be green, but 

 usually it is more or less tinged with some shade of red. In colored petioles 

 the amount and intensity of coloration increases with the maturity of the 

 leaf. The surface of the petiole may be smooth or more or less pubescent. 



The stipules may be small, medium or large or especially late in the 

 season there may be none; in form they may be wide, medium or narrow. 



In the description of the blade we consider first the size, which may be 

 small, below medium, medium, above medium or large. In order to establish 

 a standard of judgment of the size of leaves the following measurements 

 of the combined length and breadth are suggested. In taking measure- 

 ments the leaf should be spread out flat, and the point as defined on page 

 78 should be ignored. 



