523 *^N FRUIT TREES. 



there is an eflential diflbrence between the power and energy 

 of a feedling plant, and the tree which is to be raifed from 

 cuttings or elongations. The feedling is endued with the ener- 

 gies of nature, while the graft, or fcion, is nothing more than 

 a regular elongation, carried perhaps through the feveral re- 

 pealings of the fame variety; whereas the feed, from having 

 been placed in the earth, germinates and becomes a new plant, 

 wherever nature permits like to produce like in vegelation ; 

 as in the oak, beech, and other maft-bearing trees. Thefe 

 latter trees, from each paffing through the ftate of feedlings, 

 are perfedly continued, and endued with the fundtions of 

 forming per fe6t feeds for raifing other plants by evolution, to 

 the continuance of the like fpecies. §■ 



The varieties This is not the cafe with engrafted fruits. They are doomed 



continued by ]^y nature to continue for a time, and then gradually decHne, 

 for a time, till atiaft the variety is totally loft, and foon forgotten, unlefs 



recorded by tradition, or in old publications. 



Reafon, with which Providence has moft bountifully bleffed 

 fome of our fpecies, has enabled us, when we find a fuperior 

 variety, to engraft it on a wilding ftock, or to raife plants 

 from layers and cuttings, or even to raife up the roots, and 

 thus to multiply our Iburces of comfort and pleafure. This, 

 however^ does not imply that the multiplication of the fame 

 variety, for it is no more, fliould laft for ever, unlefs the fpe- 

 cies will naturally arife from feed. 

 Procefs of raifing Nature, in her teaching, fpeaks in very intelligible lan- 

 fruits, and lu- guage, which language is conveyed by experience and obfer- 

 grafting. vation. Thus we fee that among promifcuous feeds of fruits 



of the fam'e fort, one or more may arife, whofe fruits fliall be 

 found to poffefs a value far fuperior to the reft in many diftin- 

 guifliable properties. From experience, alfo, we have ob- 

 tained the power, by engrafting, of increafing the number of 

 this newly-acquired tree, can change its country, give it to a 

 friend, fend it beyond the feas, or fill a kingdom wilji that 

 fruit, if the natives are difpofed fo to do. Thus we feem to 

 have a kind of creative power in our own hands. 



From the attention lately paid to the culture of engrafted 

 Fruits, I hope vve are now enabled to continue a fuppofed 

 happily acquired tree, when we can find it, for a much longer 

 duration than if fuch variety had been left in the ftate of un- 

 aflifted nature ; perhaps I may fay for a duration as long again, 



or 



