FORMATION OF BUDS 



209 



A study 1 of the development of the buds of our fruit trees has 

 shown that the parts of a bud are formed during the summer and 

 fall and are often so well developed before frost comes that the 

 flowers and leaves may be identified if sections of the buds are 



Fig. 189. — Alfalfa plant, showing development of branches on the crown. 

 h, a main branch of the crown; s, stumps of branches which have been mowed 

 off; n, new branches. 



studied with the microscope. Thus the character or content of 

 the buds of our fruit trees is determined several months before the 

 buds open. The appearance of a heavy bloom in the orchard 

 means that the conditions prevailing during the previous summer 

 and fall favored the formation of flower buds. It is common 

 observation that fruit trees bloom more profusely some seasons 

 than others. Evidently there are certain conditions which favor 

 the formation of flower buds and by controUing these conditions 

 one can control to a certain extent the fruitfulness of a tree. 



1 Fruit-bud Formation and Development. Annual Report, pp. 159-205, 

 Virginia Agr. Exp. Sta., 1909-1910. 



