232 ^N FRUIT TREES.. 



Fads rcfpeaing rational way as yet introduced of accounting: for the lofs of 

 engrafted fruits, , 11/1, • . r r • «. ... r ^ % 



their degree of ^"G Valuable old varieties ot fruits. Should a better fyftembe 



permanence, &c. introduced, I fliail readily adopt it; but this fufficiently anfwers 

 the purpofes of the planter. 



Some years ago, from due inveftigation and thorough con- 

 viftion, I propagated this principle ; and it was publiflied in 

 the 17th volume of the Society *s Tranfa6lions, in the follow- 

 ing words: " All the grafts taken from this firft tree, or parent 

 iiock, or any of the defcendants, will for fome generations 

 thrive; but when this firft flock fliall, by mere dint of old- 

 , age, fall into adual decay, a nihility of vegetation — the 

 defcendants, however young, or in whatever fituation they 

 ' maybe, will gradually decline; and, from that time, it would 



be imprudent, in point of profit, to attempt propagating that 

 variety from any of them. This is the dogma which muft be 

 received. I do not expeft a diredl aflent, neither do I with 

 it, for it (hould be taken with much referve ; but it is un- 

 doubtedly true." Tiiefe confiderations fiiould ftimulate us 

 in fearching after new varieties, equal, or perhaps fuperior 

 to thofe of which we regret the lofs. 



Obferve that, from the time the kernel germinates for 

 apple-quifck, fliould the plant be difpofed to form a valuable 

 variety, there will appear a regular progreffiye change, or 

 improvement, in the organization of the leaves, until that 

 variety has flood, and grown fufficient to bloflbm and come 

 into full bearing ; that is, from the flate of infancy to matu- 

 rity ; and it is this and other circumflances, by which the in- 

 quifitive eye is enabled to form the feledion among thofe ap- 

 pearing likely to become valuable fruits. But from that time 

 the new variety, or felefled plant, compared with all the en- 

 graftments which may be taken from it, or any of them, thefe 

 lliall (hew a raoft undeviating famenefs among themfelves. 



It is readily allowed, that the different varieties of fruits 

 are eafiiy diftinguillied from each other by many particulars, 

 not only refpecling their general fertility, and the form, fize, 

 fhape, and flavour of the fruit, but alfo the manner of the 

 growth of the tree, the thicknefs and proportion of the twigs, 

 their (hooting from their parent ftem, the form, colour, and 

 confidence of the leaf, and many other circumflances, by 

 which the variety can be identified; and were it poffible to 



engraft 



