150 The Stem — Strictures [April, 



or branch, inserted in a quince stalk, or layer, forms as perfect a 

 tree as one inserted in a tree or root from a seed — that said bud or 

 branch will develop a descending axis as perfect as a seed — that the 

 bud plant and the seed plant are synonyms. Now, however freqently 

 the assertion may be made, or whatever form it takes, or proofs are 

 adduced from the lower order of plants, in support of such theory, 

 I shall regard the doctrine most unsound, and one that leads to a 

 most pernicious practice. All that can be said, is, that a branch 

 may he made to dcveJoj) roots, if planted under favorable circum- 

 stances — it has been done, it can be done, it is done. 



All this is admitted, and this must be the beginning, middle and 

 end of the argument urged by physiologists. If there is any thing 

 more cogent, we have been unable to find it. That you have by 

 such process of propagation a true phyton, we deny, and challenge 

 the proof. What are some of the sublime conclusions from this sub- 

 lime law of vegetation by which it is asserted that every bud con- 

 tains a phyton, a young embryon as perfect as in the seed ? Hear 

 them — one is that every branch, branchlet and tender little twig, are 

 so many independent trees inserted, or growing, if you please, with- 

 in each other, all supported by their great-great-grandfather down to 

 the fiftieth generation, if the tree be so old— that an independent 

 forest waves in majesty and grandeur upon the stem of yonder oak, 

 all deriving support and nourishment each from its predecessor, as 

 so many distinct and perfect trees : and that all you have got to do 

 is to lop a branch or leaf-bud with its accompanying twig, from any 

 tree, and stick it into the ground ; or if that wont do, increase the 

 heat, and thereby develop as perfect a tree as that obtained from 

 seed. As before stated, I regard this whole theory, however poeti- 

 cal and beautiful, as unsound ; and while it is not new but hoary 

 with age, it may be regarded as irreverent to pluck at, if we are not 

 able to pluck out, any of its gray hairs. 



Let us then examine the premises, for if we can there find a defect, 

 as in the tree from the bud, the argument, like the tree, will be 

 found to lack a very essential part. First, take a normal plant, one 

 developed from the seed, compare it with the bud or branch plant, 

 as likewise the plant developed from the root, usually called a sprout. 

 Do you find any difference? No, says the superficial observer, they 

 both have roots. True, but is there no difference in roots? Find 

 upon your sprout, or your layer, anything answering to a regular 

 descending axis. You may resort to your bulbs and creeping plants, 



