30 SYSTEMATIC POMOLOGY. 



assume a downward curve. Straggling or irregular when there 

 is a mixture of th,e preceding forms as in the Winter JSTelis pear. 

 The habit of growth may also be said to be loose or compact, to 

 be strong or wealc. 



The tendency to form runners in strawberries and to sprout 

 in the bush fruits should be taken into account. The character 

 of bushes and vines can be very well expressed with the vocabu- 

 lary given for tree fruits. 



Again the point must be emphasized that the manner of 

 growth of a young tree is not like that of an old one. A tree 

 that is erect in growth when young will probably be ascending 

 when old ; and if diverging when young will be spreading when 

 old. 



The Shoot. — Until the growth completes its first year, it is 

 known as the shoot. With different varieties shoots vary much 

 and often give distinguishing characters. They may be straight 

 as in the Northern Spy apple. Flexuous as in the Eoxberry 

 Eusset. Stout as in the Ked Astrachan. Slender as in the 

 Jonathan. Short- jointed when the buds are close together and 

 long-jointed when the contrary. 



The above characters of the shoot cannot always be depended 

 upon as, for instance, the shoots of a fast growing tree are quite 

 sure to grow much slenderer than those of a slow growing one ; 

 those of a slow growing tree Are sure to be stouter. Good con- 

 ditions for growth will in most cases, make shoots more flexuous. 

 In general the manner of growth of dioots is much affected by 

 • the amount of food available for the use of a plant. 



The colors of shoots are often strikingly different and form a 

 means of classification. When very young all are greenish but 

 as the season advances they may assume various tints and 

 shades of green, yellow, olive, brown, red and purple. While 



