1869.] JOTTINGS ON THE TULIP. 209 



Apple-trees ; for it does not only keep the roots from wandering, but it 

 is also the means of inducing a hardy and robust constitution in the 

 plant, which it must at once impart to the scion. It is a well-ascer- 

 tained fact that the stock has considerable influence over the scion, 

 both with regard to the markings and colourings of the foliage, and 

 the size and flavour of the fruit. If this be the case, it is quite an 

 easy matter to see that the healthier and hardier the stock is before 

 grafting, the healthier and hardier we must expect the scion to become 

 after the union. In all garden practice this is an accepted rule ; yet, 

 strange to say, in the matter of stocks for grafting hardy fruit-trees 

 upon, it is as a rule almost entirely lost sight of. How often do we 

 see a lot of stocks for grafting huddled up into an out-of-the-way cor- 

 ner altogether unsuited for their growth, receiving no attention what- 

 ever, but allowed to grow and ramble at large until they are required 

 for grafting ! Such practice is altogether antagonistic to sound reason, 

 and no wonder the results of grafting upon such stocks should so often 

 prove very unsatisfactory. Let us be more careful in the management 

 of our stocks, and I fear not but that we shall have healthier and har- 

 dier young fruit-trees, which shall be a credit to the raiser and a profi- 

 table investment to the buyer. James M'Millan. 



{To he continued.) 



JOTTINGS ON THE TULIP. 



NO. II. 



* ' Not one of Flora's brilliant race 

 A form more perfect can display ; 

 Art could not feign more simple grace, 

 Nor Nature take a line away. 



— Montgomery. 



To cultivate a hobby is not generally to make a fortune — and even a 

 fair amount of fame is not always attainable. But, on the contrary, 

 a considerable degree of ridicule more frequently falls to the share of 

 those whose whims and fancies do not quite accord with our own, and 

 which, with but very few exceptions, each one of the human family is 

 so intent on carrying out his own hobby, in a lesser or greater degree, 

 with all the ardoar and perseverance worthy of a greater work. We 

 are too ready to censure and ridicule our neighbour for the zeal he 

 displays in overcoming an obstacle in the way to the end he has in 

 view — the carrying out his own ideal — at the same time forgetful of 

 the equally extravagant fancy of our own adoption. 



Parson Gilpin's neighbours could see nothing to admire so very 



