29.0 Propagation of Fruit Trees, Vines^ &fc. 



tree or vine, and likewise fruit, but alas ! how different from that 

 whose fine flavor and luscious taste induced us to preserve its seed ! 

 Our gardeners pursue a more rational plan with their cucumbers, 

 squashes, peas and beans, &;c. The cucumber is left on its vine to 

 turn yellow, rot and perish, before its seed is considered fit for use ; 

 the pea pod is permitted to hang until it turns yellow, dries, and is 

 about to drop its seed, before it is gathered. Nobody complains of 

 these vegetables not proving equal to their predecessors. The hus- 

 bandman likewise lets his wheat, rye and oats remain on their stalks 

 until the time arrives when to leave them longer would be to lose 

 such small grain by the opening of the husk ; but it is still preserved 

 in its husk till dry enough to be threshed out ; yet notwithstanding 

 this close approach to nature's process, it is a common remark that 

 wheat degenerates, and requires to be planted in another soil to re- 

 cover something of its original character ; this is no doubt owing to 

 the necessity of separating the grain from its stalk before the final 

 operations of nature bring it to perfection. In the case of Indian 

 corn, however, it is different ; the grain is left upon the stalk some- 

 times until the snow falls, and is never gathered until it is perfectly 

 hard and dry. I never heard of its degenerating. 



If my theory then is correct and supported by facts and experi- 

 ment, the pourse to be pursued to obtain fine fi"uit of every kind 

 would be this, and I will give only two examples as they will serve 

 for all. If I had a tree of fine peaches, I would select half a dozen 

 or more of the finest individuals on it, and those free from all blem- 

 ish ; mark them in some way not injurious, and suffer them to re- 

 main till they fall off themselves ; I would then place them on the 

 ground in an inclosure which would protect them from cattle, and 

 let them rot and perish till the stone was fairly liberated ; I would 

 either let them still remain, or remove one half to a spot which should 

 shelter them from rain and sun, (although I am not sure it would be 

 the best.) Should any of these be attacked by worms, they would 

 be rejected ; all the rest should be planted, and each division noted. 

 I am not sure that it would not be well to let them receive the win- 

 ter snow to keep them in a proper temperature, and as soon as the 

 ground is broken by the frosts in the spring, plant them lightly, mark- 

 ing each by a stick and number. Whether the natural planting of 

 fruit stones and nuts is in the fall or spring I am unable to say. The 

 experiment of both might be tried. 



