CROPS AND PROFIT. 145 



their fine fruit sixty feet in the air, there would be 

 needed a projectile of dirty water that would rival 

 Alderman Mechi's, of Tip-tree Hall. 



It is far easier to accomplish successful results 

 with an old orchard of native, wild growth, than 

 with one of grafted fruit ; even as the Doctors find 

 that a reprobate who has fallen away from grace and 

 early good conduct, is a worse subject for reforma- 

 tion, than an unkempt savage. 



The grafted tree wants an abounding luxuriance 

 of material, from which to elaborate its exceeding 

 size and flavor ; and if by neglect, this material be 

 wanting, the organs of its wonderful living labora- 

 tory shrink from inaction, and part with a share of 

 their vitality. The native tree, on the other hand, 

 having no special call upon it for the elaboration of 

 daintier juices than go to supply a cider vat, has 

 steady normal development under all its mosses, and 

 retains a stock of reserved vitality, which, if you 

 humor with good tillage and dressings, and point 

 with good grafts, will carry a good tale to the apple 

 bin. 



On the very orchard I have named, were some 

 two or three uncouth, lumbering, unpromising trees, 

 yet sound as a nut to their outermost twigs, which 

 the simple dressings, tillage, and washings that were 

 bestowed somewhat vainly upon the others, quick- 

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