186 SOWING. 



true to the variations of the growth produced hy art 

 and high cultivation, and the very different results 

 which take place in improved fruit-trees, which can- 

 not be reproduced by their seed. But in the latter case 

 it must be observed, that the amelioration of the wild 

 crab to that of the golden pippin apple, for instance, 

 is not a change of the real fruit, that is, the seed, but 

 an enlarged addition to, and an improved quality of, 

 the pulpy covering of the pericarpium*. The same 

 is the case of the pear, orange, &c. ; it is not the 

 seeds that are altered by cultivation, but the character 

 of their investments only. So that it appears by 

 pampering the growth by high cultivation to produce 

 larger shoots, leaves, and flowers, we also enlarge the 

 integuments of the seed. The seeds themselves 

 undergo but little change, especially in the cherry, 

 apple, and pear ; though more in the peach, goose- 

 berry, and some others. But if we cannot reproduce 

 our improved fruits by their seeds, except by accident, 

 we may obtain improved varieties from the same by 

 impregnation ; the means of doing which will be 

 noticed hereafter. 



Some orchardists are of opinion that the amelio- 

 ration of fruit is only occasionally produced from im- 

 pregnated seeds, and that the generality of our im- 

 proved varieties have gained perfection gradually and 

 in course of time, without other treatment than is 

 commonly bestowed on orchard or garden ground. 

 It is likely that the first fruit from a strong seedling 



* Seed vessel. 



