CHAPTER II 

 THE BUDS OF FRUIT-TREES 



An accurate knowledge of the "bud system" of the 

 several kinds of fruit-trees is of first importance and should 

 be thoroughly understood by the student before attempting 

 to leam the art and principles of pruning. The intelligent 

 fruit-grower observes the "set" of fruit-buds and their 

 condition as a guide to the response of the trees to cultural 

 treatment; he likewise examines them in the more tender 

 varieties to determine the percentage of live buds in early 

 spring. Similarly, in many other ways the buds afford an 

 index to the functioning of the tree. 



The consideration of buds naturally divides itself into 

 three phases: (1) the location of the buds on the tree, and the 

 "bud system" in the different kinds of fruits; (2) the time 

 and details of differentiation of the flower-buds; and (3) the 

 factors that influence the formation of flower-buds. 



Although the study of the location of the buds on the tree 

 is no longer a matter of intricate research, yet it requires 

 accurate observation in the field or laboratory, for there is 

 much still to be learned concerning the relative economic 

 value of buds located or developed in different parts of the 

 tree, or of a branch or spur system. For example, it has 

 been observed that in some varieties of the peach and 

 cheny, the fruit-buds are more hardy when they are borne on 

 short growths which are located throughout the inner area 

 of the tree, while in others the reverse seems to be true. 

 Buds in certain positions also are more likely to mature 

 and the fruits will color better or have other advantages 

 over those borne elsewhere on the tree. 

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