**|)J 2<vj TOP-GUAFTS vs. K00T-QRAFT8. IW 



tlio tops rjroatly, and often for tlie bettor; wliile tops affect good buttoms, if at all, 

 generally for the worse, except in the quality of the fruit. 



I certainly would not deceive myself, nor raise any false alarm ; but lot us suppose, 

 if not unreasonable, that throughout otir country, when once well covered with these 

 tender root-grafted trees, some right western winter should prevail. It may be (and 

 it is certainly to be hoped) wo shall have none more trying than that of '51 and '52. 



Once more! Root-grafts cannot be better than top-grafts; still they are diflerent, 

 and what will that ditfercnce probably result in ? It may not be possible, yet we have 

 thought whether they may not eventually turn out like suckers, essentially inferior. 

 At all events on which side, toe ask, is the risk? 



We would by no means ascribe perfection to seedlings ; but we do insist that to 

 them, as a class, Ave must look as much for endurance and productiveness, as to graft- 

 ing, for choice fruit. No one can be more sensible than the writer of the advantages 

 of root-grafting — especially to the nurserymen — of the cheapness, beauty, and popu- 

 larity of that class of trees, and none will be more pleased to have it demonstrated that 

 these advantages are not counterbalanced by any increase of risk. As a nurseryman, 

 we have grown them mostly, and must do so while they are preferred. But there is, 

 nevertheless, a class of stubborn facts we can explain in no other way than those above. 



With our present views, between a seedling and a graft (of whatever stylo) of the 

 same fruit, everything else bein^ equal, we should prefer the former. ]?ut the truth 

 of the whole matter, summed up, we believe to be this — that there are few seedling-s 

 but might be improved by grafting ; and but few, if any, iiiiproved varieties but would 

 be materially benefitted by working standard height on strong, healthy seedlings. 

 There are some good fruits which produce the same, or nearly the same, from seed ; 

 and these it would be well to increase if only to save the trouble of grafting. If it be 

 argued that they would not be as productive, it must be because natural progress 

 toward the formation of perfect varieties is at an end, which we disbelieve. 



We are no believer in the theory of the limited duration of varieties. Of the two 

 we prefer Prof. Turner's theory, as set forth in his famous essay on "The Vitality and 

 Longevity of Trees," for which we think the horticultural world largely indebted to 

 the author, as also for many other good things. Under favorable circumstances, we 

 believe a given variety may endure through all time ; but hardly, or to but little pur- 

 pose, if subjected to all manner of abuses. And so Avith individuals ; if we could have 

 them live out their natural lease, we must be as choice of the body as the mind — of 

 the tree as the fruit. Therefore, as nurserymen, if Ave Avould be on the safe side, lot 

 us ahvays retain the strongest possible hold upon that inexhaustible storehouse of 

 "vitality," that chief reliance, that staff of life in propagation — a good, sound seedling 

 stock. Nor should Ave discard grafting ; although, like civilization, Avhile it has vastly 

 increased the numbers and merits of its subjects and possessors, it has at the same 

 time unquestionably multiplied their diseases and risks — not from necessity, but 

 neglect — not to vex, but to improve — that, as our strength is, so might be our exor- 

 and improvements. 



