5 GRAFTING. 



ties of the same species unite most freely, then 

 species of the same genus, then genera of the same 

 natural order ; beyond which the power does not 

 extend. For instance, pears work freely upon 

 pears, very well on quinces, less willingly on ap- 

 ples or thorns, and not at all upon plums or cher- 

 ries ; while the lilac will take on the ash, and the 

 olive on the Phillyrea, because they are plants of 

 the same natural order. M. De Candolle even 

 says that he has succeeded, notwithstanding the 

 great difference in their vegetation, to work the li- 

 lac on the Phillyrea, the olive on the ash, and the 

 Bignonia radicans on the Catalpa (in all cases of 

 the same natural order;) but plants so obtained, are 

 very short-lived."* 



There are however some exceptions to this rule. 

 Thus, the cultivated cherry, and most species of 

 wild cherry, though of the same genus, will not 

 agree. The pear succeeds better on the quince 

 than on the apple, although the apple and pear are 

 within the same genus, and the pear and quince 

 are by most regarded as of distinct genera ; the 

 superior firmness of the wood of the quince, a 

 quality so important to successful grafting, more 

 than making up the difference in affinity. 



Lindley mentions also some exceptions which 

 are apparent only. In one case, the fig was sup- 

 posed to grow on the olive. But the graft, being 



* Lindley, Theory Hort. 



