CHAPTER XVI 



BUDS 



' T ET us take a branch of lilac or any shrub. In 

 I J the angle formed by each leaf and the branch 

 that bears it, an angle called the axil of the leaf, we 

 shall see a little round body enveloped in brown 

 scales. That is a bud or, as it is also named, an 

 eye. 



"Buds make their appearance at fixed points, and 

 it is the rule for one to form in the axil of each leaf ; 

 it is also the rule for the tip-end of the branch to 

 bear one. Those situated in the axils of the leaves 

 are called axillary buds, and those that are found 

 on the ends of branches, terminal buds. They are 

 not all equally vigorous, the strongest being at the 

 top of the branch, the weakest at the bottom. The 

 lower leaves even shelter such small ones in their 

 axils that only the closest scrutiny will reveal them. 

 These diminutive buds often perish without develop- 

 ing unless artificially encouraged to do so. On a 

 lilac branch it is easy to note these differences of size 

 from bud to bud. 



"Both terminal and axillary buds are divided into 

 two classes. In developing some sprout up and pro- 

 duce only leaves ; these are called leaf buds. When 

 fully developed they become shoots or scions, and 



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