THE NURSERY. 23 



" If an examination is carefully made, even years 

 after the graft has successfully grown, the old cut 

 surfaces in the heart of the structure will be found. 

 * * * A cion is no more modified by the stock 

 in essential character then one human being is 

 changed in personal identity, and personal respon- 

 sibility because of his association in business with 

 another human being. The partnership may indeed 

 be a profitable one for both parties and the two men 

 may agree perfectly between themselves, and may 

 each succeed better than he could have done alone, 

 yet A remains A and B remains B. Just so 

 with the stock and cion. While each keeps its 

 own inherent qualities, the association may be 

 mutually beneficial or harmful according as the 

 activities of each suit those of the other, or the 

 reverse. 



u In the matter of union between a'onand stock 

 there is another thing upon which a word is needed. 

 The microscope may always detect the line of con- 

 tact of the two, if there is any visible difference in the 

 cellular structure; but neither the microscope nor 

 any other instrument, or thing, except experience 

 can inform us concerning the physiological union 

 between two pieces joined by grafting. We all 

 have seen swellings upon grafted or budded trees at 

 or near the splice. These enlargements are much 

 more common just above the place of union. They 

 do not disappear with age, but remain as evident 

 in a tree forty years old as at the end of the first 

 season's growth. 



