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 

 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 

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



The different cherries are quite uniform in their fruit- 



FIG. 15. Flower- buds of 

 Apricot. 



are 



