OF FRUIT TREES. 25 



and soon forgotten, unless recorded by tradition, or in 

 old publications. From the attention lately paid to 

 the culture of engrafted fruits, we are now enabled to 

 continue a supposed happily acquired tree, fora much 

 longer duration, than if such variety had been left in 

 the state of unassisted nature ; perhaps a duration as 

 long again, or something more. But there is no di- 

 rect permanency, because the kernels, within the 

 fruit, which are the seed of the plants for forming the 

 next generation of trees, will not produce their like. 

 They may do so accidentally ; but nothing more can 

 be depended on. For example, suppose we take ten 

 kernels, or pips, of any apple raised on an engrafted 

 stock : sow them, and they will produce ten different 

 varieties, DO two of which will be alike, nor will ei- 

 ther of them closely resemble the fruit from which 

 the seeds were collected. The leaves also, of those 

 trees rai&ed from the same primogeneous or parent 

 stock, will not actually be a copy of the leaves of any 

 one of the varieties or family, to which each is con- 

 nected by a vegetable consanguinity. In choosing the 

 seed, that apple is likely to produce the clearest and 

 finest plants, whose kernels are firm, large, and well 

 ripened. The size of the fruit is not to be legarded j 

 for large apples do not always 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 tbe 

 joung plants, from the bed of apple quick, whose ap- 

 pearance 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 3 ? cars, though Mr. 

 Knight had two plants bearing fruit at six., and one at 

 five years. Mr. JBucknal mentions one variety of ap- 

 *3 



