Phaseolus multiflorus plants at three stages of development were decapitated either immediately below the apical bud or lower down at a point 1 cm above the insertion of the primary leaves. Growth regulators in lanolin were applied to the cut stem surface. IAA always inhibited axillary bud elongation and dry-matter accumulation, and enhanced internode dry weight but not elongation. GA3 applied below the apical bud greatly increased internode elongation and dry weight, but simultaneously reduced bud elongation and dry-weight increase. Application of GA3 1 cm above the buds had no effect on bud elongation in the youngest plants, but enhanced their elongation in the two older groups. IAA always antagonized GA3-enhancement of internode extension growth, whereas its effects on GA3-enhanced dry-matter accumulation depended on the stage of internode development. Bud elongation was greater in plants treated with GA3+IAA than in plants treated only with IAA, except in the youngest plants decapitated immediately below the apical bud, where GA3 caused a slight increase in IAA-induced bud inhibition. GA3 increased inhibition of bud dry weight by IAA in the two youngest groups of plants, but slightly reduced it in the oldest plants. No simple compensatory growth relationship existed between internode and buds. It was concluded that, (1) auxin appears to be the principal growth hormone concerned in correlative inhibition, and (2) availability of gibberellin to internode and buds is of importance as a modifying factor in auxin-regulated apical dominance by virtue of its local effects on growth in the internode and in the buds.