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X. On the Advantage of Grafting Walnut, Mulberry, and 

 Chestnut Trees. By Thomas Andrew Knight, Esq. F. R.S. 



Read January 6, 1807. 



In the course of very extensive experience in the propaga- 

 tion of Apple and Pear Trees, I found that the detached 

 parts of the bearing branches of old trees of those species, 

 when employed as grafts, never formed what could with pro- 

 priety be called young trees ; the stocks appeared to afford 

 nutriment only ; and the new plants retained, in all instances, 

 the character and habits of the bearing branches of which 

 they once formed parts ; and generally produced fruit the 

 second or third year after the grafts had been inserted.* 



I was therefore induced to hope that the effects of time 

 might be anticipated in the culture of several fruits, the 

 trees of which remain unproductive during many years after 

 they are planted ; and that parts of the bearing branches of 

 those detached from the old trees, and employed as grafts, 

 would still retain the character and habits of bearing 

 branches. 



Having therefore planted in the spring of 1799? some 



* Columella appears to have known that a cutting of a bearing branch did not 

 form a young tree ; for, speaking of cuttings of the Vine (semina) he says, 

 " optima habentur a Lumbis ; secunda ab Humeris ; tertia summa in Vite lecta, 

 quae celerrime comprehendunt, et sunt feraciora, sed et quam celerrime genes' 

 cunt. M Be Arboribus, c?tap. 3. 



