CHAPTER IV 



FACTORS WHICH INFLUENCE FRUIT-BUD 

 FORMATION 



The time of the formation of fruit-buds in the more 

 common tree-fruits, as well as the morphological details of 

 development, for the most part have been definitely estab- 

 lished as indicated in the previous chapter. However, the 

 physiological, biochemical, or biological factors that influence 

 the differentiation of the elements of a flower-bud out of 

 the growing region are still being investigated. The com- 

 mercial pomologist is greatly concerned with the regular 

 flowering and fruiting of trees, but unfortunately the litera- 

 ture on this phase of the problem seems to have been widely 

 mfluenced by tradition and as a result many more or less 

 fanciful theories have gamed some prominence. Much 

 confusion would be avoided if the facts were kept to the 

 fore that: (1) several factors may limit the formation of 

 fruit-buds, and the expression of these may be entirely 

 different under varying conditions; and (2) that widely 

 different horticultural practices or operations may influence 

 such factors similarly or variously, with the result that the 

 conditions for the formation of fruit-buds may be either 

 favored or suppressed. The considerations which follow 

 have to do with practices which influence, and theories 

 which pertain to, fruit-bud formation. 



47. Vegetative and reproductive processes. — Fruit-trees 

 manifest growth of two rather distinct kinds — that primarily 

 associated with simple vegetative extension and that more 

 closely tied up with reproductive processes or functions. 

 It has been a common notion that they are not only distinct 

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