Stems and Their External Features 



113 



Fig. 07. Baldwin apple orL-hani, sticnving trees with the branches lluniied lu 

 increase the production of fruit. 



Fruit trees and grapes have been found to produce more 

 fruit, and fruit of a better quaUty , when the number of branches 

 is small. A smaller number of branches on a tree secures an 

 open crown and permits the sunlight to penetrate to every 

 leaf, and the removal of some of the branches forces the de- 

 velopment of flower buds which might remain dormant if 

 the terminal and branch buds were allowed to grow uninter- 

 ruptedly. In grape culture, only four or five branches are 

 allowed to remain on a vine each year, and these branches are 

 shortened. This insures full development for a few of the 

 flowering branches and the production of the best quality of 

 fruit. 



Leaf scars and bud scars. The leaf scars on some plants 

 are round ; on others they are narrow lines ; on most plants 

 they are crescent-shaped. Usually they are smooth, except 



