OF FRUIT TREES. 25 



clearest and finest plants, whose kernels are firm, 

 large, and well ripened. The size of the fruit is 

 not to be regarded; for large apples do not al- 

 ways ripen well, or rather, for cider, the small 

 fruits are generally preferred, for making the 

 strongest and highest-flavoured liquor. Should no 

 valuable apples be raised from this process, the 

 seedlings will make excellent stocks to engraft 

 upon. In attempting to acquire new varieties, all 

 the young plants, from the bed of apple quick, 

 whose appearance is in the least degree promising, 

 should be selected and planted together, at such a 

 distance, as to allow each to produce its fruit, 

 which will happen in about from twelve to fifteen 

 or eighteen years, though Mr. Knight had two 

 plants bearing fruit at six, and one at five years. 

 Mr. Bucknal mentions one variety of apple, within 

 his knowledge, which he supposes to be one hun- 

 dred and forty years old ; and a pear tree, supposed 

 to be two hundred years old. It is an undoubted 

 fact, and worthy of observation, that all the dif- 

 ferent trees, of the same variety, have a wonderful 

 tendency to similarity of appearance among them- 

 selves ; and that the parent stock, and all engrafted 

 from it, have a greater resemblance to each other, 

 than can be found in any part of the animal crea- 

 tion ; and this habit does not vary to any extent of 

 age. Whatever is said here respecting the apple, 

 is equally applicable to the pear tree. Some 

 years ago, from due investigation and thorough 

 conviction, Mr. B. propagated the principle, that all 

 the grafts, taken from" the first tree or parent 

 stock, or any of the descendants, will for some gene- 

 rations thrive ; but when this first stock shall, by 

 mere diwt of old age, fall into actual decay, a 

 nihility of vegetation, the descendants, however 

 young, or in whatever situation they may be, will 

 gradually decline ; and, from that time, it would be 

 imprudent, in point of profit, to attempt propagat- 

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