76 



Fruit-growing in Arid Regions 



the season's growth, while with young trees making a rank 

 growth they will be found only scattering near the tips of 

 the twigs. Thus, like the apple, the 

 formation of fruit-buds in the peach 

 is apparently incited by slow growth; 

 they are developed during a period 

 when there is least increase in length 

 of the twig. 



In its fruiting habit, 

 the apricot is very much 

 like the peach. Fewer 

 fruit-buds are found on 

 the stronger-growing new 

 wood, however, and a 

 larger proportion on 

 short, spurlike, new 

 growths. Often these 

 spurs on the apricot are 

 so short and bear buds 



SO Close together that We FIG. 15. Flower- buds of 



are liable to think of 



them as being different from other fruiting wood, 

 but they do not differ materially. They are simply 

 short, new growths bearing axillary fruit-buds gen- 

 erally borne singly, rather than in groups, as is the 

 case on the stronger-growing new twigs. The 

 last lateral bud is a branch-bud in most cases, and 

 continues the growth of the spur the following 

 season. Unlike the peach, the groups of buds are 

 developed in the axil of a single leaf. (See Fig. 15.) 

 The different cherries are quite uniform in their fruit- 



