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portion of a branch which grew summer before last. 
NATURE STUDY AND AGRICULTURE 
There were more 
buds than were needed, and so these did not develop last summer. If 
the branch should be cut off just above these dormant buds, new shoots 
DIFFERENT Mopres oF BRANCHING 
a. Cottonwood. At the tip of each 
shoot is a single bud, enlarged in (0), 
which continues the growth straight 
ahead. The central shoot with its 
bud makes the strongest growth and 
always keeps the lead, giving the 
tree a straight, upright axis. 
d. Lilac. At the end of each 
shoot are twin buds, shown in (c), 
which, as they develop, form a fork 
so that the shoot does not grow 
straight ahead for more than one 
season (except perhaps the first few 
years) and there can be no straight 
central stem. 
may spring from them. Certain of 
their mates did grow and became 
the last season’s twigs. 
(b) The numerous buds on last 
season’s twigs will share the same 
fate, — only a few will grow and the 
rest will remain dormant. Examine 
them and tell which you think look 
strongest and most likely to grow. 
Mark a twig on a tree or some shrub 
near the schoolhouse, make a draw- 
ing of it, showing all the buds, and 
mark those that you think will de- 
velop next spring. When the tree 
has leafed out compare the twig with 
your drawing. The struggle for ex- 
istence is a case of competition, and 
the buds that have the most sunlight 
and room are the ones that grow. 
This struggle took place while the 
buds were forming last summer. The 
leaves engaged in the same competi- 
tion. Do you see any correspondence 
between the size of a leaf as indicated 
by its scar, and the bud in its axil? 
Did the large buds grow in the axils 
of the larger leaves? 
to. Flower Buds.—If you are 
able to make observation on a plum, 
apple, lilac, or some other early blos- 
soming tree or shrub, look for buds that are larger and less pointed than 
others. They may be flower buds. If you think you find some of them 
observe them closely. An expert horticulturist can tell the fruit buds 
from other buds on his apple trees. 
11. Arrangement of Buds and Mode of Branching. — Compare the 
