G96 CanJccr in young Fruit Trees. 



saw pots of vines with ripe fruit on them. I was informed the 

 eyes had been taken from the parent vines only fourteen or 

 fifteen months previously. I saw othei's in every interme- 

 diate stage of <i;rowth between tliem and the pots in which 

 the eyes had just been inserted ; and I understood Mr. Pillans 

 to say that he hoped to produce grapes for the table, in suc- 

 cession, throughout the year, on this plan. I believe that this 

 process has not been communicated to any one. I anticipate 

 vour opinion, that all who claim to be citizens in the republic 

 of science are bound to contribute their individual discoveries 

 for the general weal, in exchange for the advantages they reap 

 from a similar devotion on the part of their brother citizens. 

 I quite approve this doctrine, as ap})lied to a certain class ; but, 

 I confess, I think that persons in the situation of Mr. Pillans 

 may fairly look lor a more substantial compensation for the 

 conmiunication of so valuable a discover}^ as this, than the 

 occupation of a niche in the temple of Fame ; though I would 

 not recommend an address from the House of Commons to His 

 Majesty ; which was, for aught that appears to the contrary, 

 gravely presented in a certain case of a similar kind. I think 

 the Horticultural Society should encourage the communica- 

 tion of important discoveries, by professional gardeners, by 

 substantial rewards. Every department of the gardeijs at 

 Woodchester bears ample testimony to the great skill, atten- 

 tion, and zeal of Mr. Pillans, who is evidently a very meri- 

 torious servant. I am, Sii', yours, &c. — Charles Latirence, 

 Cireneester, Oct. 15. 18r>2. 



Canker on young Fruit Trees. — •Three years ago, I was 

 much annoyed at finding several young pear trees one mass 

 of disease from top to bottom; which, I conceive, must have 

 been infected when sent to me, three years before, as they 

 were planted in the best of soil. On referring to a work on 

 gardening, I found some palhatives recommended ; but it was 

 observed that the most elleclive j^ian was, to take up the tree 

 and plant a fresh one. I did not much like throwing away 

 three years' growth of roots, which, I knew, had been extend- 

 ing themselves under every advantage of soil ; and I thought 

 of cutting oil" the heads to within 1 ft. of the ground, and 

 inserting healthy grafts li-om other varieties. I was told this 

 could be of no avail, inasmuch as the sap, passing through 

 the diseased trunk, would infect the grafts. On consideration, 

 this did not aj^pear to me to be a necessary consequence, as 

 the (jualities of the chyle (if I may so term it) secreted from 

 the descentling saj), to which the future tree wouUl be indebted 

 for its growth, would depend nuich more on the scion than 

 the stock. I determined, at all events, to try the experiment. 



