detaining each the peculiarity belonging to it, without any interchange of contents 

 through the sides of the cells in contact. 



This is entirely consistent with all that has been discovered by the modern 

 physiologists who have ap])lied themselves to a study of the nature of the indivi- 

 dual cells of which plants consist. They have clearly shown that each cell has its 

 own inherent power of secretion, as, indeed, may be seen by any one who exam- 

 ines thin sections of variegated leaves, or other parts. It will then be found that 

 some cells are filled with a red coloring matter, some with yellow, some with green. 

 In other words, one cell has the power of secreting red matter, another yellow, and 

 so on. The colors do not run together, but are contained each within the cell 

 that produces it. Why this is so, no one knows ; all that we are acquainted with 

 is the fact; the peculiar cells are not affected by the one growing on the other. 

 Red-forming cells produce their like, and yellow-forming theirs. Thus the limit 

 between the scion and its stock is unmistakably traceable, and, notwithstanding the 

 combination of the two sorts in one, each perseveringly retains that which is natu- 

 ral to it. 



It hence becomes evident that no junction can be permanent unless the stock 

 and scion have a great similarity, not only in every part of their structure, but 

 also in constitution, and that the strictest consanguinity alone offers security that 

 a grafted plant shall be as durable as each of the two individuals thus artilicially 

 joined is, when left on its own roots. A temporary union may indeed be effected, 

 but it is soon dissolved, as we everywhere see, in collections where grafted varie- 

 ties are brought together, instead of plants "on their own bottom." We have 

 used D'Albert's and Dr. Lindley's own words above ; they are convincing, and 

 the intelligent fruit grower cannot fail to take advautaffe of them. 



AMERICAN GRAPES, AND THE LONDON GARDENERS' 



CHRONICLE. 



BY WILLIAM CHORLTON, NEW BRIGHTON, NEW YORK. 



In looking over a late London Gardeners'' Chronicle, I see that Dr. Lindley has 

 again been showing the "black feather." The American native grape-vines have 

 been tried in Southern Europe, and the London Times, in speaking of the dis- 

 couraging prospects generally, states : "The American vines, which, up to a few 

 days back, had been free from any bad signs, had suddenly manifested the blight 

 to an extent which had destroyed the hopes entertained from the introduction of 

 those descriptions." And the doctor adds : " We do not know what was expected 

 from the introduction of American vines, if by that term is meant, as we believe to be 

 the case, European vines cultivated in the United States, for the vine disease exists 

 there as well as here, as we lately showed upon the authority of Mr. Chorlton. At 

 all events, we know that the American vines were grafted on Portuguese stocks," 

 Now, surely, he knows better than this, not only from the authority quoted, but 

 from his own knowledge of the subject, and he must certainly be aware that no 

 man of common sense would even think of sending the Euroi)ean varieties back 

 again, if the intention was to repel the mildew, more i)articularly so, as the disease 

 in question has been the only cause why we do not succeed, and never have suc- 

 ceeded satisfactorily, with them in out-door culture. It is a fact, that our natives 

 have been sent there, and it now appears that they have not had a fair chance, for 

 they " were grafted on Portuguese stocks," instead of being grown on their own 

 roots. It so happens, that the constitutions of the European and American g 

 vines are very different, as is proved by the former being always improved 



