34 



THE WESTERN POMOLOGIST. 



1871 



Thus it appears, we have a succession of causes 

 witliin the plant, which are necessary to the growtli 

 of the tree, the yerms or hmla being primary, and 

 we have also a chain of conditions independent of 

 the plant, the sun being principal. The terminal 

 buds are absolutely necessary for its rapid growth, 

 as they are the prime conductors of electricity. — 

 The same is true with the roots ; they spread out 

 in the direction of the greatest moisture to 

 conduct the current oif rapidly, at the same 

 time returning the fluids containing the elements 

 from the soil which are deposited in the different 

 parts of the plant by chemical affinity. By this 

 means the organism" is built up by cells elongated 

 by electrical force. If it were not for this power 

 they might expand in width instead of length. 

 When this force ceases to accelerate their growth 

 they then commence to swell their buds instead of 

 lengthening them, which produces fruit-spurs and 

 fruit. This takes place for their permanent 

 good only at their natural maturity. 



Now as the leaves, buds and bark absorb from 

 the atmosphere more than one half the bulk of the 

 tree, they not only hold an important relation to its 

 healthy vitality and constitution but they also go^-ern 

 its growth, form and deposits, upon which depend its 

 distinctness and identity. By virtue of their sub- 

 stance and color, the tree becomes not only well 

 organized but healthy and productive. Now if the 

 buds are destroyed by cutting them off or pinching- 

 in, the next buds to those injured push forward to 

 perform their office. While they are doing so the 

 growth of the tree is checked until nmo buds take 

 their place, or those left are called upon to perform 

 extra duty. This check of growth is a loss of time 

 which can never be recovered. 



(To be Continued.) 



The Apple —Its Propagation. No. 1. 



Bt the Associate Editor. 



In presenting this scries of articles on the apple, 

 it cannot be expected that we will give a lengthy 

 treatise, but rather a simple, concise and condensed 

 paper upon the subject, and in doing so we have 

 but few preliminary remarks to make : The matter 

 embracud in this series of articles will include the 

 apple from the seed to ;the full grown and 

 matured tree, with its fruit stored away for future 

 use. 



The seed should be first separated from the pom- 

 ace or procured clean. Then sow in the Fall or 

 Spring, on deeply ploughed new or clean ground 

 in drills about six or eight inches wide, and if in 

 the Fall, three inches deep and the rows two feet 

 apart. If sown in the Spring, the seed must be first 

 soaked about ten hours in tepid water in cold, 

 freezing weather — say February or March, and 



then spread out on boards so they will freeze once 

 thoroughly through ; additional freezing is not nec- 

 essary but will do no harm. They should then be 

 immediately mixed with about five times their 

 bulk of moist saw-dust, and then put into barrels and 



Fig. 1. 



il 



Fig. 2. Fig. 3. 



Fig. 1. Eoot ready to receive the Scion. 

 Fig. 2. Scion prepared for setting. 

 Fig. 3. Root and Scion joined and tied. 



placed in a cold situation on the north side of a build- 

 ing and let freeze if they will ; if not they must be 

 kept thoroughly wet until planted or they will heat 

 and spoil. Sow the seed by hand, with the sawdust, 

 very early in the Spring, about two inches deep, 

 making allowance for the bulk of sawdust, so the 

 seed will average at least half an inch apart all over 



