VEGETATION. 



Some shrubs set their blossom-buds the year before they flower, as rhododendrons and 

 azaleas, and I have little doubt but that in most hard wooded trees the embryo bud, formed in 

 autumn, contains the flowers formed (where there will be any) for the next year. In con- 

 sequence, the production of a fine display of flowers and crop of seed or fruit will depend on 

 two seasons, the former one favourable to forming the flower bud, the latter one to bring the 

 flowers, fruit, and seed, to perfection. This is not the case with roses and plants of rapid 

 growth, in which the flower buds are formed in the new wood very shortly before they expand. 

 In the raspberry, buds are probably formed in both ways, the old canes flowering, but in some 

 cases if they are cut back, the luxuriant young shoots will produce flowers the same season. 



Many bulbs also have their flowers formed the previous year, as you will see if you divide 

 a hyacinth root in its dry state. You will then find the flower shoot with the number of 

 flowers already formed, and which are merely developed by planting the root. 





