Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-04-01
AGRICULTURAL PAPERS.
SERIES PREPARED ESPECIALLY FoR
THE "REcoRD-UNIoN."
Presenting instruction Contained in Lect-
ures from the Chair Of Agricult-
ure, State University.
TWELFTH PAPER. ]

Although the welfare, size and appear
ance of a plant depend in great measure
upon its stem, yet the functions OF Its
most important member are generally
to those of the organs which
it bears-fowers and leaves. All plants
of the higher orders are supplied with a
stem, but in some plants it does not ap-
pear above the ground, and hence is often
taken for a part of the root. The root,
under ordinary circumstances, does not de-
velop any new organs. From the stem, on
the contrary, emanates leaves, flowers and
seed, and these organs are both supported
and fed through the direct agency OF the
stem. A rudimentary stem is found in the
bud and embryo of all seeds. The growth
of the stems begins with bud and is ter
minated by a bud, until the growth OF the
plant is ended, when terminal flowers and
seeds are produced The term "culm" is
used to distinguish those single I'M.
branched stems which are characteristic of
some plants, noticeably the grains, bam-
boo, maize, etc. Culms have no branches,
and the leaves generally clasp the stem at
their base, thus giving rise to thickened
zone or knot, which is known as node.
The spaces between these nodes are termed
internsdes. Other plants, and most of
those which inhabit the temperate zone,
have branching stems. AS the growth OF
THE PRIMITIVE STEM
Increases, side branches start from the
buds in the axials of the leaves, which
continue to grow, and in due course of
time develope their own lateral branches
from axial buds. The whole framework of
the foliage is made up by this branching
from the main stem. Nodes may be dis
tinguished on the stems of most all of the
young branching plants, but they are not
nearly so perfectly developed in the culms.
These nodes mark the point at which the
leaf was attached to the stem, and are, as
a general thing, not noticeable for any
great length of time after the leaves have
fallen off, The symmetry OF the tree is
dependent on the development. of the buds
of the stem. Oftentimes many of these
remain latent or dormant, and make no
growth until they are specially aroused and
invigorated by an increased flow of sap, or
by decrease in the amount of foliage of
the plant. When the growing buds and
branches of plant are pruned off, the
latent buds will push forth into active
growth on account of the relatively in
creased amount of sap. One can thus, by
pinching back or pruning the most thrifty
branches, induce the growth of the unde-
veloped parts Of the tree or plant, and in
reality control the development of the foil
age of the tree. Adventurous buds are
those which give rise to the shoots from
the stem or roots of tree which has been
wounded or mechanically injured during
the growing season. The shoots and
branches which spring from the roots and
stem of stumps originate in adventurous
buds. Unlike that of the root, the growth
of the stem takes place throughout almost
its entire length. This characteristic of
the growth of stems also holds good for
subterranean and PROSTATE stems.
RUNNERS ARE STEMS
Which branch out from main stems just
above the ground, and grow in horizontal
layers. These runners, when in contact
with the soil, take root and form indie
pendent plants. One runner often has
numerous sets of roots growing from as
many different nodes, and will, if sepa-
rated between each node, form a CORE
spending number OF plants. The runners
of strawberries and the propagation of
vines by layering are common examples of
the growth and development of runners.
Subterranean stems are, from their posi-
ton, very commonly taken for roots. Such
stems may be divided into three classes
root.stocks, suckers and tubers. Root
stocks are horizontally. elongated subter.
ranean stems, which emit roots along the
entire length of the under surface, and, as
in axial stems, they grow by the develop,
ment of terminal bud. As the growth Of
younger portions proceeds the older ones
die, leaving scar or knob where the herb.
aceous shaft of the seasons growth sepa.
rated from the root stock In many in.
stances the stages of growth are marked
by a narrowing in the root-stock where
the seasons growth was suspended, fol.
lowed by an enlargement caused by the be-
ginning of the succeeding years develop.
ment. AS is the case with runners, each
of these nodes or divisions with it's roots
will, if severed from the parent stock, form
an Independent plant. Suckers are shoots
which spring from branches or stems be.
low the ground, and then come forth and
continue their growth in the open air.
Rose-bushes, poplars, cherry and other
trees are Objectionable on account of the
numerous suckers sent out by them.
TgBERS
Are formed by the heshv enlargement oil