LEAF-BUDS. 23 



They arc capable of propagating the indi- 

 vidual from which they originate. 



They are at first nourished by the fluid lying 

 in the pith, from which it is probable they take 

 their rise, as may be seen in a cross slice of 

 the pine made at a knot, or just at the axil, but 

 they finally establish for themselves a commu- 

 nication with the soil by the woody matter 

 which they send downwards. 



Their force of development will be in pro- 

 portion to their nourishment ; and, consequently, 

 when it is wished to procure a young shoot of 

 unusual vigor, all other shoots in the vicinity 

 are prevented growing, so as to accumulate for 

 one shoot only all the food that would other- 

 wise have been consumed by several. 



Cutting back to a few eyes is an operation 

 in pruning to produce the same effect, by 

 directing the sap, as it ascends, into tv/o or 

 three buds only, instead of allowing it to ex- 

 pend itself upon all the others which are cut 

 away. 



It is better in many cases of flowering plants 

 and fruits to rub off all buds but those wished 

 to be left, before they become branches. 



When leaf-buds grow, they develope in three 

 directions; the one horizontal, the other up- 

 ward, and the third downward. 



