Tin Trees of Texas 11 



resinous material with which the scales are cemented together 

 renders them almost water-proof and prevents the escape of 

 waler at a time when none could be obtained from the soil. In 

 Hie spring, however, after the buds have begun to open, they are 

 readily killed by freezing, for this draws the water out of the deli- 

 cate inner parts, and the protection against loss of water having* 

 been now lost, the bud dies of dessication when the ice melts. 



Buds may be grouped into various classes on the basis of 

 structure, position on the stem, parts included, and time of de- 

 velopment. 



As a rule, buds are borne singly in the axils of the leaves; at 

 the end of the stem or its branches ; or directly underneath the 

 petiole of the leaf. The bud may contain foliage leaves, flowers, 

 or in some cases both. Many buds, because of their location, 

 fail to develop and are known as dormant buds. They usually 

 die within a few years, but in some cases they remain alive and 

 become covered over with layers of wood, under which they grow 

 slowly and maintain themselves near the surface of the wood. 

 These buds, growing and branching in the wood, produce the 

 curling and twisting of the grain, which is known as "bird's-eye" 

 wood. 



The dormant buds may begin to develop at any time, provided 

 they are favorably located and supplied with sufficient food. 

 This condition arises when part of the tree is broken or cut 

 away and the young shoots that develop come largely from dor- 

 mant buds. Buds may also arise at any time from the stem, 

 root, or even the leaves. These are called adventitious buds. 

 The frequent suckering of many plants from the roots is due to 

 these adventitious buds, as is also the growth of sprouts from 

 the stumps of hardwood trees. 



The rapid unfolding of buds into leaf and flower is ever a 

 constant source of pleasure, for it marks the transition from 

 dormant to active life. It involves all the changes which take 

 place in the great awakening of nature from its long winter 

 sleep period, and inspires within us hopes of a promise to be ful- 

 filled in leaf, flower and fruit. 



Tke flower may be defined as the forerunner of a seed. All of 

 our trees, when they have reached a certain age, bear flowers 

 and develop seeds. It is this characteristic which enables each 



