ERRORS ABOUT GRAFTING. 83 



somewhat intermediate between the two varieties, 



but so much like the Red Astrachan that it was 







generally believed by others that no true union of 

 the split scions was effected. 



Similar stories are often told of " graft hybrid " 

 potatoes being produced by inserting the eyes of 

 one variety into the tubers of another. Several 

 varieties cultivated in England are said to have 

 been produced in this way. The most carefully 

 conducted experiments have generally shown, how- 

 ever, that each variety of tuber produces its own 

 kind, whether grafted or not, and that when two 

 kinds are found in the same hill they originated 

 separately from the two sorts planted. Occasionally 

 sports appear, differing somewhat from the variety 

 planted, such as the White Peachllow, which is a 

 sport or variation from the old Red Peachblow; 

 and these cases have doubtless given rise to the 

 stories that such results were produced by grafting. 



Tho whole theory of graft-hybridization is un- 

 doubtedly false. It is true that varieties, especially 

 of fruits, are more or less modified by the stock 

 upon which they are grafted, but these changes are, 

 as a rule, no greater or more remarkable than the 

 changes produced by soil and climate. 



It is frequently said that sweet varieties grafted 

 on sour stock bear more acid fruit, and vice versa, 

 and that in other features the fruit of the graft is 



