CHAPTER X 
BUDS; GROWTH OF STEMS; PRUNING; PROPA- 
GATION BY STEMS 
Buds 
Nature of Buds. — Buds contain a partially developed portion 
of a stem with leaves and also flowers, when present, in an em- 
bryonic state. A close study of buds, like those of fruit trees, 
Fic. 182. — Length- 
wise section through a 
Hickory bud. a, furry 
inner scales; b, outer 
scales; 1, folded leaf; m, 
apical meristem; 1, re- 
gion to which the scales 
are attached. Modi- 
fied from Andrews. 
shows that the stem portion contained is 
very short and that the leaves and flowers, 
although they may be seen with a micro- 
scope of low power or often with the naked 
eye, are very rudimentary. Buds are often 
defined as undeveloped shoots. The most 
important thing about a bud is that it con- 
tains the meristematic tissues upon which 
growth in length (primary growth) and the 
formation of new leaves and flowers depend. 
For this reason, when the bud on the end of 
a branch is removed, the branch can grow no 
more in length at that point. (Fig. 182.) 
Buds are common to all plants, but they 
are most noticeable in perennials, such as 
trees which have dormant periods occurring 
during the winter season in temperate re- 
gions or during dry seasons in warm coun- 
tries. The buds of these plants are known 
as resting buds and are usually covered with 
scales which protect the inner portions from 
drying and other destructive agencies. The 
scales overlap, forming a covering of more than one layer, and 
are often made more protective by becoming hairy or waxy. Bud 
scales are closely related to leaves and, in most cases, are simply 
modified leaves. Sometimes, however, they are modified stipules 
which are leaf appendages. 
204 
