PROPAGATION Or THE SPECIES. CHAP. IX. 



as a sort of natural layer, resembling also, in some 

 respect, the runner ; from which, however, it is dis- 

 tinguished in that it never detaches itself sponta- 

 neously from the parent plant, as is the case also 

 with the two former. But if either of them is 

 artificially detached together with a portion of root, 

 or a slice of the collar adhering to it, it will now 

 bear transplanting, and will constitute a distinct 

 plant. 



SECTION VIII. 

 Grafts. 



Artificial. THE species is also often propagated, or at least 

 the variety is multiplied, by means of grafting, 

 which has been already shown to be an artificial 

 application of a portion of the shoot of one tree to 

 the stem or branch of another, so as that the two 

 shall coalesce together and form but one plant. 

 The shoot which is to form the summit of the new 

 individual is called the graft; and the stem to 

 which it is affixed is called the stock. 



As the graft is merely an extension of the parent 

 plant from which it came, and not properly speak- 

 ing a new individual, so it is found to be the best 

 method of propagating approved varieties of fruit- 

 trees without any danger of altering the quality of 

 the fruit, which is always apt to be incurred in 

 propagating from seed, but never in propagating 



