COMMON APPLE-TREE. 307 
the ligature may be removed. Should the grafts have much lateral motion, 
caused by the wind, they should be secured to a stake or a frame. 
In grafting, as well as in transplanting trees, particularly those which are lia- 
ble to be affected by the change of situation, as the magnolias, walnuts, &c, 
they should always be planted or inserted, in the same position, with reference 
to the sun as that in which they grew previous to their removal. 
When the grafts have grown about two feet in height, the plants should be 
removed, or planted out in land similarly prepared as in the nursery beds, in 
rows four feet apart, with an equal distance between each, where they are to 
remain until finally removed. Before the plants are drawn from their grafting- 
sites, no side-shoots should be cut off, except those below the graft. On their 
removal to open rows, any overgrown branch may be shortened, and two or three 
of the lowermost cut off close to the stem. After this, the stronger side-shoots 
only should be moderately shortened, in order to encourage the upward growth 
until a good head is formed, about six or seven feet above the ground. The 
side-shoots may then be removed close to the stem, in two successive years, 
while the head is left to its unrestricted growth. It is a very common, and at 
the same time, a very bad practice, to cut off all the side-shoots early, leaving 
only two or three twigs at the top, by which means the plant is very much 
checked in its growth, and instead of producing a firm and tapering stem, it 
becomes almost cylindrical, and tortuous, instead of upright. Those who treat 
plants in this way, are undoubtedly ignorant of the true nature of their growth, 
and the important office of their leaves; and, therefore, in attempting to assist 
nature in promoting the growth of the head, most injuriously interfere with her 
operations. If such persons had equal facility of witnessing the growth of the 
roots, they would no doubt think it their duty to cut part of them away, with a 
view of promoting the growth of the stem ; at least, such a proceeding would be 
no less absurd. Every leaf is a feeder of the plant, as well as every rootlet ; 
and no interference with the progress of the tree should be allowed, except for 
the purpose of preventing any side-branch becoming a rival to the head. \\ hen, 
however, the tree has attained the required height of stem, and the head has 
pushed forward strong shoots above that height, the whole of those on the stem 
may be finally cut away, as before directed, the stem having by this time gained 
sufficient substance and strength, to preserve its erect position, and to support 
the head.* 
The subject of grafting necessarily involves that of the selection of the best 
varieties, whether thev are new, or in the vigour of their bearing, or are intended 
for the cider-mill, the table, or the kitchen ; but it would be quite incompatible 
with the speciality of this treatise to notice, even in a tabular form, one half of 
the apples recommended in nurserymen's catalogues; and there are many other 
points connected with the management of orchards, which, for the same reason, 
must necessarily be omitted ; but there is one particular connected with this sub- 
ject, which we here beg leave to introduce. 
A theory was advanced many years ago in England, and has lately been revived 
in that country, and is gaining ground in America, that the " chance of life in a 
1 scion is affected by the chance of life in the original seedling which began the spe- 
cies ;" that is, when the natural period for the decline of the parent tree has 
arrived, the scions taken from it will also be found in a declining state, though 
growing upon stocks in other respects vigorous. The advocates of this theory 
contend, that each particular varijty of apple has its period of vigour and decline. 
and its duration cannot be protracted by grafting beyond a certain limit ; and what 
they conceive to be very remarkable, is, that within that natural limit, the grafts 
* See Journ. Roy. Agr. Soc. of England, vol. iv., p 
384. 
