The Union of Embryos. 203 



high, as they sell by the pound, and the lower end is the heaviest 

 four or five inches of the lower end takes a very large percentage 

 of the weight. 



(Those who may wish for more information, can apply to Mr. 

 Colby, at his residence, Jonesville, Vt. He informs us he will be 

 happy to communicate any information desired, respecting his ma- 

 chine, or the manner of cultivating the willow. He also has pub- 

 lished a valuable treatise on the subject, which all interested 

 should obtain, as it is distributed gratis. 



Mr. Colby, we believe, can also furnish cuttings of the Osier 

 Salix viminalis. A working model of the machine is on exhibition 

 at R. L. Allen's, of New York ; also at the office of the " Prairie 

 Farmer," Chicago, 111. — Ed.) 



ON THE UNION OF EMBRYOS. 



gardeners' chronicle. 



It will have been seen by a communication in our last number, 

 (p. 678,) that experimentalists are puzzled to understand how it is 

 possible to make two embryos grow together by grafting. It 

 seems to be considered impracticable so to unite the seeds of an 

 Orange and a Lemon as to blend them into one single plant from 

 the very beginning of their growth. Undoubtedly the operation 

 is attended with some difficulty. Skill and a sound knowledge of 

 the nature and structure of seeds are demanded of those who 

 would perform it. For that reason, indeed, it was, that we offered 

 a valuable reward to the first who should succeed. Had it been 

 a mere puzzle, which could be solved by some lucky accident, we 

 should have consigned it to the limbo of rebuses, charades, and 

 similar puerilities. But knowledge and the power of applying it 

 were demanded, and for this reason it appeared to be an excellent 

 subject for experiment ; certainly not merely for the sake of a 

 trifacial Orange, which might be easily obtained in Alexandria. 



We have already stated, in reply to an inquirer, that it would 

 probably facilitate the operation if the surfaces to be united are 

 pared down, just as is done when common grafts are united. But 

 we are by no means sure that this is indispensable. On the con- 

 trary, many facts indicate that mere contact will produce the 



