EXERCISE XVIII 



A STUDY OF BUDS (Prunus sp.) 



Material and apparatus. Branches of the sour and the sweet 

 cherry, bearing both branch buds and fruit buds ; razor, dis- 

 secting lens. 



THE CHERRY 



There are two large groups of cherries Prunus cerasus and 

 Prunus avium which probably sprang from the European 

 species. They differ in habit of growth, in shape, and in the 

 arrangement of buds, as well as in other characteristics. The 

 domestic forms of Prunus avium are characterized by a tall, 

 erect growth, by reddish-brown bark, and by flowers generally 

 in clusters on lateral spurs. The fruit is red, yellow, or black, 

 and sweet. Prunus avium has four representatives in the United 

 States mazzards, hearts, bigarreaus, and dukes. Prunus cerasus 

 is characterized by low-headed and spreading forms of trees, by 

 flowers in clusters on lateral spurs, and by thin, willowy branches. 

 There are two representatives in the United States amarelles 

 and morellos. For convenience all cherries are divided into the 

 bigarreaus, or sweet cherries, and the morellos, or sour cherries. 

 These are subdivided according to color and form of fruit, but 

 the subdivisions are of minor importance for consideration at 

 this time. 



1. Big arreau group. The bigarreaus, or sweet cherries (Prunus 

 avium), include the following varieties: Black Eagle, Black 

 Heart, Black Tartarian, American Heart, Cleveland, Coe's Trans- 

 parent, Sweet Montmorency, Windsor, Bing, Lambert, Royal 

 Ann, and many others. 



a. Secure branches from one or more of the varieties named 

 above, and study thoroughly. Make a drawing, natural size, 

 and at least four inches in length, showing both the branch buds 

 and the fruit buds. Where are they located, and how are they 

 arranged? What external differences do you find between the 

 fruit bud and the branch bud ? What bud predominates, and 



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