OF FRUIT TREES. 35 



graft is placed on the stock. The selecting proper 

 scions, the writer observes, is a matter of the great- 

 est importance, if we wish to enjoy the full advan- 

 tage which may be derived from grafting. They 

 should be taken from a healthy tree in full bearing, 

 and from the outer side of the horizontal branches 

 of such a tree, where the wood has freely enjoyed 

 the benefit of sun and air. If the tree be in a lux- 

 uriant state, the grafts are very properly taken from 

 the extremities of bearing branches ; but if it be 

 in a debilitated condition, the most healthy shoots 

 in the centre of the tree should be employed. 

 The extremity of the scion should be cut off, leaving 

 four or five eyes or buds, as the middle part affords 

 the best graft. The most proper season for grafting, 

 in our climate, is from about the twentieth of March, 

 to the twentieth of May, though the operation has 

 succeeded well, as late as the tenth of June, provid- 

 ed the scions have been properly preserved. Prac- 

 tical gardeners, it is said, concur in stating, that the 

 nature of fruit is, to a certain extent, affected by 

 the nature of the stock. Crab stocks, for example, 

 cause apples to be firmer, to keep longer, and to 

 have a sharper flavour. Mr. S. Cooper, of New- 

 Jersey, expresses himself as follows, on this subject : 

 (Dorn. Ency. Mease's edit.) " I have, in numerous 

 instances, seen the stock have great influence on the 

 fruit grafted thereon, in respect to bearing, size, 

 and flavour, and also on the durability of the tree, 

 particularly in the instance of a number of Vande- 

 vere apple trees ; the fruit of which was so subject 

 to the bitter rot as to be of little use. They were 

 engrafted fifty years ago, and ever since those of 

 them having tops cornposedof several different kinds, 

 though they continue to be more productive of fruit 

 than any others in my orchard, yet are subject to the 

 bitter rot, the original and well known affection of 

 the fruit of the primitive stock. I have had frequent 

 opportunities of observing the same circumstance, in 



