2 



blossoms, called flower-buds, and those destined to grow Into 

 ordinary stems, and to bear the foliage of the plant. One set 

 of buds become specialized, and are devoted to the particular 

 function of reproduction, while their neighbors continue their 

 growth and maintain the plant itself. The leaf-bud looks 

 only to the future of the individual, while the flower-bud 

 carries with it the idea of a new plant that in time is to 

 flourish separately. In external appearance the buds of various 

 trees and shrubs differ so greatly that they may well form a 

 part of a full description of any plant. It is not our purpose, 

 however, to go into any consideration of their sizes, shapes, 

 colors and other peculiarities. Those buds that are herein 

 treated have first of all a covering of scales accompanied by 

 more or less of a lining of fur, and frequently in addition a 

 varnish, all of which serve the important purpose of prevent- 



ing access of water and the sucld-eu changes of temperature 



that might otherwise bring death to these seats of vitality. 

 The protective layers that a plant places over the tender sub- 

 stance of a growing point suggest the same provision for its 

 own safety when hard times come as do the thick, impervi- 

 ous coats that are wrapped round the germ of a future plant 

 as found ensconced in the seed. Within the bud-scales, 

 which may be few or many, thick or thin, etc., there is the 

 point of growth now in a quiescent condition. It is somewhat 

 conical, possibly almost flat-topped, but from below it and 

 upon all sides there arise a number of lateral outgrowths, in 

 regular order, the youngest being nearest to the top, and these 

 curve upward and overtop the growing point. These greatly 

 disguised leaves are the first ones to unfold when the bud de- 

 velops into a stem, while at the same time new ones are pro- 

 duced in close proximity to the advancing point of growth, 

 thus continuing the bud as it pushes forward, leaving behind 

 a young stem with its developing foliage. In case of the 

 flower-bud, if it be one formed in autumn, as that of the apple, 

 peach and similar fruits, there are the same bud-scales, but 

 instead of a growing point that will develop into a branch, 

 there may be one or several miniature flowers which, when the 

 scales are thrown back, quickly open out into the fragrant 

 blossoms. 



