THE GREEN-HOUSE. 



203 



we cannot determine ; but in the present state of our 

 knowledge it is safe to act as if we thought so. As 

 to the influence of the stock in changing the qualities 

 of fruits, or the colours or fragrance of leaves or 

 flowers, that is very uncertain. Quinces have been 

 said to render some sorts of pears gritty, and crab 

 stocks to lend acidity to some of the milder apples ; 

 but these things are denied by some, and doubted by 

 most who have considered the subject. One curious 

 fact may be mentioned, which is, that a variegated 

 jasmine, grafted on one not variegated, will transfer 

 the variegation to the whole plant, and even to suckers 

 rising from its roots. There is a proof of this in the 

 botanic garden at Chelsea; and the same thing is said 

 to take place with a variegated privet on a plain one, 

 and with some sorts of Phillyrea. 



The manipulation of inarching is thus given by 

 Cushing, as applicable to exotics in stoves or green- 

 houses : * Having provided a stock nearly of the same 

 diameter as the shoot which is intended for inarching, 

 cut a thin slip from two to three inches long, and about 

 one-third or something better of the whole thickness, 

 smoothly off from each of them, in the clearest part 

 of the stem, with a sharp knife ; the bark of each 

 must then be fitted together exactly, and tied perfectly 

 tight with good matting ; they must be clayed in the 

 same manner as grafts ; and as being within doors in 

 a warm house will occasion the clay to become over- 

 dry, and in consequence liable to crust, they should 

 (at least in hot weather) receive two or three times a 



