THE BUDS OF FRUIT-TREES 31 



subtending each bud, or on a very short sessile 

 spur. 



5. Two fruit-buds in the axil of a single leaf, 



6. Three fruit-buds in the axil of a single leaf. 



7. A fruit-bud between two leaf-buds. 



The fruit-buds of the peach are usually large in comparison 

 with the leaf-buds and are also pubescent. They are simple, 

 comprising as a rule only one flower-bud, but in some cases 

 they may contain two. As a rule, a weak or short branch 

 bears only single fruit-buds, while the double or triple ones 

 are bonie mostly on the stronger growth. A branch may be 

 so strongly vegetative, however, that no fruit-buds are 

 produced. Fig. 11 illustrates the fruiting wood of the 

 peach. 



31. Fniiting of the cherry.^ — Like the other stone-fruits, 

 the sweet cherry bears from axillaiy fruit-buds. They are 

 formed both on the terminal growth, more particular!}^ near 

 its base, and on short spurs which are found, character- 

 istically, on the older wood. The terminal buds of both 

 branches and spurs are leaf-buds, with the result that their 

 growth is in a straight line, in contrast to the apple and pear. 

 Whipple states that the sweet cherry spurs will be alternat- 

 ing in their bearing if the trees are not well cared for and 

 properly pruned. 



The sour cherry forms its fruit-buds in practically the 

 same positions as does the sweet cheriy. At times all the 

 axillar}^ buds on the new growth are fruit-buds, which results 

 in a naked branch the following season. The tenninal ones, 

 however, are leaf -buds and hence they continue the growth of 

 the spurs and branches and furnish a leaf area to support the 

 developing fruit below. Fig. 12 shows one type of fruiting 

 wood of the sour cheriy. 



1 Whipple, O. B. The pruning of stone fruit trees. Better Fruit. 

 Nov., 1917. Pruning the sweet cherry. Better Fruit, Dec, 1918. 



