522 Retrospective Criticism. 



Those of M. Neuman (611.) were evidently generated on the edges of a cut ; 

 as in sea-kale, and plants such as sumachs propagated by pieces of the root, 

 the extravasated juice is formed into buds at the lips of the cut. On the 

 stems of geraniums, the extravasated juice is entirely converted into bun- 

 dles of buds. It appears, therefore, buds may be generated in the piece 

 of bark or shield left, though the axillary bud dies. It appears farther, that, 

 as in the case of the purple laburnum, it is possible, even, that a union of the 

 two cambiums of stock and bud may take place at the edges, and again sport, 

 by separating at times, and again uniting. Shoots from the purple laburnum, 

 in leaf, flower, and habit exactly the same as the Cytisus purpureus, are 

 sometimes got protruding from the stem of the purple laburnum, while others 

 again are the same as the original yellow-flowered laburnum. 



" 696. The after-care of grafts by budding." Much of the success of bud- 

 ding depends on the stock and bud growing vigorously, to supply the juices 

 or cambium causing the union to take place ; and allowing the bark to sepa- 

 rate easily from the wood, so as. to prevent laceration and bruising of the 

 vessels in separating them. If the bark does not fly up freely from the stock, 

 when the handle of the knife is inserted, it is not likely the bud will succeed ; 

 and the same if the shield of the bud does not part freely from its wood ; if either 

 of them has commenced ripening, or if the sap has not begun to run or flow, the 

 labour will be in vain. In order to insure the cut being smooth, and no lacera- 

 tion of the bark of the shield taking place, the best of all methods (especially 

 for such barks as the cherry and plum, which will not bear handling, and are 

 very apt to spoil) is to mark the size of the shield intended, all round the 

 bud, with the point of the knife, cutting into the wood, and then introducing 

 the thumb at the side of the bud and raising it off with a gentle squeeze. If 

 the shoot is growing vigorously, it will spring out, without any difficulty, so 

 clean and smooth on the edges as greatly to facilitate the success of the opera- 

 tion. By the common method, if the bark is much handled, the shield of the 

 bud is apt to be spoiled at the edges before insertion. 



" 703. Whether deciduous trees and shrubs ought to be transplanted in autumn 

 or spring." In transplanting deciduous trees before the leaves are fallen, it is 

 found in practice that the shoots are not ripened, and die back often to a 

 considerable distance, in the same manner as if the leaves had been destroyed 

 by early frost. The young fibres, also, will protrude spongioles more quickly in 

 the spring from the fibre that has been well ripened, than from that lifted 

 before ripened. It can only be when the distance of removal is very short, 

 and the plants very small, and lifted with the earth adhering to the roots, that 

 the transplanting of deciduous plants in autumn, before ripe, can be attended 

 with any advantage. In the nurseries, we have great experience in lifting and 

 shoughing immense quantities of deciduous plants, and experience must say 

 on this head, that any process of growth which may be going on in the interior 

 of the plant during winter has very little if any outward appearance. Unless 

 the winter is more than ordinarily mild, the spongioles are never seen to pro- 

 trude, nor the buds to swell, till the spring begins to advance. Such as goose- 

 berries, cherries, thorns, birch, larch, &c, may begin in February or March ; beech, 

 oaks, apples, &c, are later, and seldom begin to show much before April or 

 May. Even the mezereon, which often flowers in February, is seldom found to 

 protrude new roots before that period. Of course the period will vary as to 

 localities ; some soils and situations are more than a month earlier than others, 

 within very short distances. Autumn planting is preferable where the soil is 

 dry, as it washes the soil closer to the root ; where the soil is clayey, and the 

 weather soft at planting time, it gets into a state of puddle and rots the roots 

 in winter ; and, unless the weather is dry at planting time in autumn, such 

 soils had better be deferred till spring. Quarters of young trees planted in 

 autumn will stand all winter without appearance of failure ; and yet, when 

 the spring drought sets in, will fail nearly as much as spring-planted ones, 

 showing that very little has been done by the plant towards establishing itself 

 in the ground during winter. 



