LEAF-BUDS. 25 



If no leaf-buds arc called into action, there 

 will be no addition of wood : and, consequently, 

 the destruction or absence of leaf-buds is ac- 

 companied by the absence of wood; as is 

 proved by a shoot, the upper buds of which 

 are destroyed and the lower allowed to devel- 

 ope. The lower part of the shoot will increase 

 in diameter ; the upper will remain of its origi- 

 nal dimensions. 



The quantity of wood, therefore, depends 

 upon the quantity of leaf-buds that develope. 



It is of the greatest importance to bear this 

 in mind in pruning timber trees ; for excessive 

 pruning must necessarily be injurious to the 

 quantity of produce. 



If a cutting with a leaf-bud on it be placed 

 in circumstances fitted to the development of 

 the latter, it will grow and become a new 

 plant. 



If this happens when the cutting is inserted 

 in the earth, the new plant is said by gardeners 

 to he upon its own hottom. 



But if it happens when the cutting is applied 

 to the dissevered end of another individual, 

 called a stock, the roots are insinuated into the 

 tissue of the stock, and a plant is said to he 

 grafted ; the cutting being called a scion. 

 3 



