STEM- AXD TOP-OEOWTII, ETC. 37 



29. Adventitious and Lateral Buds.— Buds usually form 

 only at the nodes of the stem and at the axil of the leaves, 

 but some species develop buds under certain conditions at 

 any point on the stem or root. These that may develop 

 anywhere on stems, branches, and in some cases on the 

 surface-roots, are called adventitious buds. The willows, 

 some of the poplars, and elms are of this class, and among 

 the fruits, plum, cherry, raspberry, and blackberry may 

 develop such buds when cut back or wounded. This 

 peculiarity is utilized by propagators in growing plants 

 by root-cuttings and in some cases from the cuttings of 

 the new or older wood. 



Lateral bud? of fruit-trees, and other trees and shrubs, 

 form on the young growth and usually do not push into 

 growth the same season. But if the points of growth are 

 pinched or clii^ped they may be developed. Many of these 

 lateral buds distant from the point of growth remain 

 dormant and become overgrown the succeeding seasons. 

 Such overgrown buds often push into growth after remain- 

 ing dormant for several years. On the two-year-old wood 

 of some fruit-trees, and of the cut-leaved birch, these 

 dormant lateral buds are still quite prominent and can be 

 utilized for grafting. In the propagation of the cut-leaved 

 birch the two-year-old buds are used, as those on the new 

 shoots are too small. 



30. The Leaf. — Most plants under culture develop true 

 leaves or what Gray terms "Leaves as foliage." In hor- 

 ticulture the mode of connection of the leaf with the 

 branch and root, and its relative thickness and texture, 

 have more importance than its morphology and action as 

 given by the botanist. Over a large part of the United 

 States the texture and relative thickness and firmness of 

 the leaf are far more important than in moister and cooler 

 climates with less-continued clear air and sunshine. The 



