Root Grafting, ^c. 53 



never be ; and, having fine fruits to hand to visiters and to 

 eat without stint, dram-drinking would become a thing of 

 yesterday. This is my first desire, and in truth my exertions 

 have been to this end, from the beginning. If there was less 

 desire to accumulate wealth, and more taste for the beautiful, 

 I have no doubt but what morals, education and religion, too, 

 would be advanced. I have acted under this belief, and 1 

 hope to taste the fruits thereof ere I am borne hence. My 

 motives have been impugned ; but I expected it, and only for 

 a moment have I faltered, — and who can bear to have his 

 nearest friends call one a theoretical book-farmer, a humbug, 

 and all that sort of croaking slang 1 That I have been often 

 wrong, is to be expected, but I have tried to be right. 



Have you ever budded the apple on the pear 7 A gentle- 

 man of great zeal in aboriculture, and of unquestioned truth, 

 assures me he has had the apple to fruit, two years from the 

 bud, when put on the pear. 



"We have much to learn yet, and T fancy amateurs must do 

 much of the teaching, because regular nurserymen and gard- 

 eners have their hands full, without trying experiments. I 

 have myself no fondness for extra natural things, and have 

 never tried any, in that way. I have worked pear on apple, 

 but upon the strong recommendation of a friend ; I do work 

 apricot on the peach, but I cannot get a better stock ; and if 

 worked, so as to cover the wound in the earth, I really see, 

 by practice, no kind of objection. I will continue until I can 

 get a thrifty stock. I am planting a number of apricot seed ; 

 if I succeed well with them, I will adopt this as a stock. I 

 do not think there will be much more, if any, time required. 

 I can produce apricots from the bud, at least eight to ten feet, 

 and why should a seedling not do this ? 



You must only notice my rambling remarks, for I have but 

 little time to write for a magazine of merit. 

 Log Hall, Edwards, Miss., Dec. 14, 1846. 



The communication of our correspondent contains many 

 good hints and suggestions, which the practica man, as well 

 as the amateur, will find worthy of attention. 



The growth which trees make in the south'.vestern States 

 is certainly remarkable ; but is such a rapid growth desira- 

 7* 



