ORIGIN OF THE APPLE TREE. 29 



system be introduced, I shall readily adopt it : but this suffi- 

 ciently answers the purposes of the planter. 



" Some years ago, from due investigation and thorough 

 conviction, I propagated this principle, and it was published 

 in the 17th vol. of the Society's Transactions, in the follow- 

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

 parent stock, or any of the descendants, will for some gene- 

 rations thrive; but when this first stock shall, by mere dint of old 

 age, fall into actual decay, a nihility of vegetation . . . the de- 

 cendants, however young, or in whatever situation they may 

 be, 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 must 

 be received. I do not expect a direct assent, neither do I 

 wish it; for it should be taken with much reserve; but it is 

 undoubtedly true." These considerations should stimulate 

 us in searching after new varieties, equal, or perhaps superior, 

 to those of which we regret the loss. 



" Observe that from the time the kernel germinates for 

 apple quick, should the plant be disposed to form a valuable 

 variety, there will appear a regular progressive change, or 

 improvement, in the organization of the leaves, until that 

 variety has stood, and grown sufficient to blossom and come 

 into full bearing ; that is, from the state of infancy to maturity; 

 and it is this and other circumstances, by which the inquisitive 

 eye is enabled to form the selection among those appearing likely 

 to become valuable fruits. (We would also remark that all young 

 trees, when disposed to be valuable, in addition to the luxu- 

 riance exhibited in the leaves, buds and free growth, have soft, 

 tender wood, offering little resistance to the pruning-knife, 

 whilst the knife is apt to lose its keen edge when applied to 

 seedlings of slow growth.) But from the time that the new 

 variety or selected plant, compared with all the engraftments 

 which may be taken from it or any of them, these shall show 

 a most undeviating sameness among themselves. 



" It is readily allowed, that the different varieties of fruits 

 are easily distinguished from each other by many particulars, 

 not only respecting their general fertility, and the form, size, 



