4 J^JHSSOIf^S WITH PLANTS 



certain buds gave rise to branches and why others 

 remained dormant. The strongest shoot or branch 

 of the year is the terminal one {fh). The next 

 in strength is the uppermost lateral one, and the 

 weakest shoot is at the base of the twig. The 

 dormant buds are on the under side (for the 

 twig grew in a horizontal position). All this sug- 

 gests that those buds gi-ew which had the best 

 chance, — the most sunlight and room. There were 

 too many buds for the space, and in the struggle 

 for existence those which had the best oppor- 

 tunities made the largest growths. This struggle 

 for existence began a year ago, however, when 

 the buds upon the shoot below / were forming in 

 the axils of the leaves, for the buds near the tip 

 of the shoot grew larger and stronger than those 

 near its base. The growth of one year, therefore, 

 is very largely determined by the conditions under 

 which the buds were formed the previous year. 



Suggestions. — At whatever time of year the pupil takes up the 

 study of branches, he should look for three things: the ages of the 

 various parts, the relative positions of the buds and leaves, the 

 different sizes of similar, or comparable buds. If it is late in 

 spring ' or early in summer he should watch the development of 

 the buds in the axils, and he should determine (as inferred in 

 5) if the strength or size of the bud is in any way related to 

 the size and vigor of the subtending (or supporting) leaf. Upon 

 leafless twigs, the sizes of buds should also be noted, and the sizes 

 of the former leaves may be inferred from the size of the leaf- 

 scar (below the bud). The pupil should keep in mind the fact 



