900 TOP-GKAFTS T8. KOOT-GRAFXa 



little caution in:iy be necessary when planted out, in the way of protecting it, <fec. 

 At i)rL'sent this species is by no means plentiful, and consequently commands a liigh 

 price. Native of Asia ]Slinor and eastward. 



AiiiKS JiizoENSis. — This magniiicont coniferous tree is one of Mr. Fortune's intro- 

 ductions. Dr. LiNDLEY* writes of it : "According to Siedold, the Jezo Spruce, 

 so called because it grows on the Islands of Jezo and Krafto, in the Kinjiire of Japan, 

 whence it has been introduced into the gardens of the wealtliy inliabitants of Jcddo. 

 He describes it as a large tree, with a soft, light wood, employed by the Japanese for 

 arrows and in the construction of domestic utensils. The leaves are said to remain 

 seven years upon the branches." In Kngland it proves perfectly hardy, and most 

 probably will in this country. xVt present it is scarce, and the plants of small size in 

 cultivation. 



Abies KnuTROw ; s?/?e. Smithiana — The Weepinr/ Spruce. — This extremely grace- 

 ful and elegant tree comes from the Western Himalayas, at heights ranging from 

 6,500 to 10,000 feet. It will in all likelihood prove hardy, though not as much as 

 Wcbhlana. It generally occurs on the mountains next below the latter S2:)ecies. It is 

 very variable as to height, and is noted by ditlerent travelers as ranging from fifty to 

 one hundred and fifty feet. Compared with the Norway species, the branches are 

 more gracefully pendant, the foliage longer and of a deeper hue, the cones longer, 

 and hanging pleasingly from the branches. Major E. ^Iaddux says : " The principal 

 end and design of the Ilimalayan Spruce, like that of the lilies, which neither toil or 

 spin, is to be sought in its extreme beauty." Specimens in Britain, some thirty feet 

 in height, have already shown the native Ilimalayan beauty of this lovely siwuce. 



{To be cont'iuutd.) 



SEEDLINGS vs. GRAFTS, OR TOP-GRAFTS vs. ROOT-GRAFTS. 



BY F. K. niCEXIX, DELAVAX, "WIS. 



Seedlings, it is not necessary to define. Grafted, or budded varieties, arc those 

 selected from the former on account of the superiority of the fruit, and other good 

 qualities, as hardihood and productiveness, and propagated mostly by budding or 

 grafting, generally upon seedling stocks, or, until within twenty-five years, when an 

 improvement or innovation called root-grafting has been widely introduced. 



With respect to the general system of grafting or budding, it were folly to question 

 its safety and utility when properly used, though unquestionably an impost to be 

 resorted to when necessary and avoided when ])ractieable. The point is simply to 

 what extent shall this practice be carried ? And in view of the vast importance of 

 horticulture — in view of its increasing risk?, and responsibilities — everything per- 

 taining to that prime operation should be carefully investigated. 



Grafting, or budding, considered as an abstract mechanical operation, porfonned under 

 favorable circumstances — as, for instance, to graft or bud a young tree with its 



* Paxton's Flower Garden. — Vol. I, p. 42. 



