BUDS 



53 



losing sight of the effects his work may have upon the 

 general growth of the tree or shrvib as to form and de- 

 velopment, must consider the way in which blossom buds 

 are produced so lie can intelligently regulate the number 

 and development of the buds, twigs and branches which 

 ,are to bear these flowers 

 and fruits. The following 

 paragraphs will, therefore, 

 help the uninstructed 

 reader to determine how to 

 make decisions so far as 

 buds are concerned. 



57. Age of shoot deter- 

 mined by bud scars. — In 

 pruning practice it is often 

 necessary to know the age 

 of branches and twigs. Ex- 

 cept where secondary 

 growth has taken place this 

 can easily be determined 

 until the branches Ijecome 

 too old to reveal the dis- 

 tinguishing marks, rings 

 and a bulge. These may 

 not, however, be as marked 

 in this case as in normal 

 cases. When the terminal 

 is a fruit bud the branch 

 usually kills back to the 

 first sturdy lateral twig, 

 which then assumes the 

 duties of leadership. Very 

 marked cases of thickening occur with some varieties of 

 apple and pear fruit spurs which are often three times 

 the diameter of the twigs below the swellings. The 

 scars were left by the bud scales which fell off when the 

 terminal bud pushed into growth. AMien the terminals 



FIG. 

 Fruits 



33— FRUITING HABIT OF FIG 

 axillary on "this season's" 

 growths. 



