Retrospective Criticism. 407 



is stated, that ' a shaddock engrafted on a sweet orange stock will become 

 sweet ; and that the orange, grafted on the pomegranate at Malta, gives fruit 

 that is red inside.' Of course, the last is impossible, and the first improbable ; 

 but the object is merely to ascertain where the statement is made." 



It will be seen that our correspondent is mistaken, in thinking that we 

 " hinted at the improbability of a union " between the shaddock and the sweet 

 orange ; or that we considered them as two trees " opposite in their genera." 

 We only hinted at the improbability of the one becoming sweet when grafted 

 on the other ; and we did doubt this, and still do so ; because there are very 

 few instances indeed where grafting has this effect. The only analogous cases 

 that we can, at this moment, recollect, are those of the influence of thorn and 

 quince stocks in rendering the fruit of some sorts of pears, when grafted on 

 them, gritty. Perhaps this is merely the result of the stunting or dwarfing, 

 which is produced by such unions. There is, too, in our VIII. 743., a state- 

 ment of the effect of other stocks upon pears. As to the plum grafted on the 

 fig, and succeeding, we have no hesitation in saying that the thing is impossible, 

 notwithstanding the authority adduced. The probability is, that Mr. Ford was 

 imposed on by some of the quacks' grafts (greffes des charlatans, Thouin), for- 

 merly very common on the Continent. The shoot of a plum was probably 

 drawn through the hollowed stem of a fig, in the same manner as the jasmine, 

 the rose, &c, are drawn through the stem of the orange. (See Encyc. of 

 Gard., new edit., § 200.) There is nothing remarkable in Chionanthus suc- 

 ceeding on -Fraxinus, or on any of the Oleaceae ; but we do not see in what 

 manner that fact applies to our statement, the pomegranate not belonging to 

 the same natural order as the orange. — Cond. 



Aponogeton distdchyon hardy. — Observing that you state that, amongst 

 the stove plants which you saw at Mr. Knight's nursery, in the King's Road, 

 there was Aponogeton distachyon, I beg leave to say this plant is perfectly 

 hard}'. I have it growing in a pond in the open air : it blooms very freely 

 most part of the year, and ripens its seeds, which vegetate within 48 hours 

 after they are sown. My strongest plants are those which are self-sown at 

 the bottom of the pond, which is 4 ft. deep. I planted, only three years ago, 

 two small bulbs, and now I am frequently obliged to destroy considerable 

 quantities of it. I find it grows abundantly in the ponds of the botanical 

 gardens both of Edinburgh and Glasgow. I consider it one of the most 

 desirable aquatics I cultivate, it being seldom out of bloom, except about 

 midsummer, and a few weeks afterwards. The last winter being mild, it 

 flowered almost every day. — Wm. Kent. Bath, July 11. 1834. 



We thank Mr. Kent for this information, and much wish he would oblige 

 our readers with more of the fruit of his great experience in the culture of 

 aquatic plants. His rich and interesting collection of them in his garden at 

 Clapton is well remembered by many who had the pleasure of seeing it from 

 time to time. We were in part aware of the comparative hardihood of the 

 Aponogeton, but not that it is quite hardy. — J. D. 



Taking up the Boots of the Scarlet Runners in Autumn, and replanting them 

 in Spring, (p. 315.) — I have practised this mode of culture for some years. 

 When the frost destroys the leaves and shoots, I take up the roots, keep them 

 in sand through the winter, and replant them in May. They grow stronger, 

 and begin to flower much earlier than beans planted in the common way, and 

 never stop bearing till the frost destroys them. I have not set the plants 

 more than one year, but a friend of mine has a plant six or seven years old, 

 which looks as well now as it did the first year; and he has also a row now 

 in pod, which were not either taken up or covered last winter. — N. S. N. 

 Nottingham, Jidy 4. 1834. 



/ took some Slips from my old Cauliflowers, and set them with my autumn 

 plants ; and, as they have this spring produced very fine heads, I intend to 

 continue the practice. — Id. 



We should be glad to hear frequently from this correspondent, who has 

 doubtless excellent ideas and practices to communicate. — Cond. 



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