!26 



THE APPLE TREE. 



THE LEAF. 



Early in May the young foliLige is conspicuous. The leaf-buds 

 stand erect, the edges oi the outer leaves folded round the inner 



ones, so that only the under sides are 

 visible, with their tints of pale green, 

 and their coats of white down. The 

 upper surfaces, when the leaves spread 

 out to the light, are of a brilliant shin- 

 ing green, and the blade is puckered. 

 When seen against the sky, the leaf 

 appears semi - transparent, and the veins 

 make a pale yellow pattern over it. At 

 its base the leaf-stalk becomes broader 

 and flatter, and bears a stipule like a 

 PLAN OF THE LEAF-NATURAL SIZE. wiug ou either side. As summer comes 

 on, the upper side of the leaf turns to a rich dark green, its surface 

 is smooth, somewhat shining, and indented by numerous veins. The 

 under side is coloured a pale tresh green, and thickly coated with 

 brownish white wool. The main and secondary veins project from 

 the under surface like chords ; they also are wooly and paler in 

 colour than the blade itself Late autumn brings tints of yellow to 

 the foliage, but of a less brilliant hue than those of the plum trees. 

 These already cover the ground, while the apple has hardly lost a 

 leaf, and many are still green. Here ami there is a leaf of crimson 

 red, with lilotches of green or bronze. This description may serve 

 to point out some characteristics of apple leaves in general. The 

 difference in size, texture, shape, and colouring, that distinguish the 

 leaves of so many species may be touiid in books dealing with their 

 culture. 



