FORMATION OF BUDS 209 
A study! 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 he identified if sections of the buds are 
Fic. 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; , 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 controlling 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. 
