282 OF GRAFTING AND BUDDING. 



present are called by those names ; though I 

 cannot help thinking that we are apt to pay too 

 much deference to the writings of the Ancients, 

 in supposing them seldom to be mistaken, or to 

 assert a falsehood : whereas, if their works are 

 carefully examined, it will be found that they have 

 often copied from each other's writings without 

 making experiments to prove the truth of their 

 assertions ; and it is well known, that the ranging 

 of plants before Caesalpinus's time (which is about 

 200 years since) was, by their outward appearance, 

 or from the supposed virtues of them, a method 

 that is now justly exploded; and it has been 

 observed, from many repeated trials, that, how- 

 ever plants may resemble each other in the shape 

 and make of their leaves, manner of shooting, &c. 

 unless they agree in their fruit, and their other 

 distinctive characters, they will not grow upon 

 each other, though performed with ever so much 

 art. 



Observations on Budding Pear-trees on Walls. 



When the Pear-trees which are grafted in the 

 Spring have not taken, I would advise to cut them 

 off, a little below the graft, at a joint or bud. The 

 tree will then throw out a great number of healthy 

 shoots : rub these all off, except so many as will 

 be sufficient to fill the wall ; nailing those up, to 

 prevent the wind from breaking them. 



About the latter end of July the shoots will be 



