NATURE STUDY MADE EASY 



77 



APPLE SPRIG 



LESSON XXVI 



THE APPLE TREE 



How pretty is a sprig of an apple tree! 



Whether it be a sprig bearing spring blossoms, 



or a sprig showing its winter buds, it is a 



pleasing sight to behold. 



Have you ever noticed the scars on an apple 



twig ? They mark the place of last year's buds. 



From one scar to another scar marks a year's 

 growth. You can tell the age of a branch by counting its scars. 

 An apple twig bears two kinds of buds leaf buds and flower 

 buds. The leaf buds are single, and are protected by soft, fine 

 down to keep them warm in winter. In 

 the spring they burst into pretty green 

 leaves. 



The flower buds come in clusters. 

 They are protected by five green sepals 

 covered with down. In the spring they 

 burst out into round, white blossoms. 

 Each blossom has five scented white 

 petals, tinged with red on the outside. 

 They protect the stamens, which are in- 

 side, and the very young seeds, which are 

 at the base of the flower. FRUITING BUDS 



