BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN 
LEAFLETS 
Series 1 Brooklyn, N. Y., April 16, 1913 Number 2 
THE OPENING OF BUDS 
The opening' of buds and the return of song birds herald the 
approach of spring, and much of interest may now be seen in the 
Garden in connection with both of these events. Though we 
encourage the birds, we are primarily interested in the buds. 
A bud is really a branch in the making— an embryo branch, 
and is one of the many devices by which plants are enabled to 
pass the winter in safety. This statement will surprise some 
readers, for many people do not understand that the so-called 
“spring buds” are always formed during the preceding summer 
and autumn. 
A branch is a lateral portion of the stem of a plant, usually 
bearing some kind of leaves. During the spring the axis of the 
branch elongates and may also increase in diameter. The foliage 
leaves expand their blades, extend their stalks, and become 
turgid and green. They adjust their positions with reference to 
each other so as to secure the most favorable illumination, and 
under the influence of the sunlight they manufacture food for 
the entire plant. 
But if we examine the branches of a tree (such as the horse- 
chestnut), or a shrub (such as the lilac), during the latter part 
