INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS. 
investigate myself next sjjring. It is one step in a series of experiments which I undertook some years 
since, with a view to determine, if possible, the true origin of the so-called pm'ple labmiium. Some of 
these experiments, and the deductions I have di'awn fi'om them, I propose, with your leave, to lay 
before youi- readers as my time and inchnation may dictate. In the meantime, I suggest the following 
Phttological Experiment, 
which any one haA-ing the convenience of a cucumber-bed, will be enabled to perform, and prove, 
in a single season, or, at any rate, in the course of a second growth ; and the more hands we 
have in the field, the sooner, or, at least, the more surely, can we determine the point sought to be 
established, which is tliis — to ascertain if it be possible to cause the callosities formed by two cuttings 
to amalgamate or mix together during theii' formation ; and, if so, whether an adventitious bud, formed 
on the united mass, ^vill be enabled to partake of the properties of the two plants fi'om which the 
cuttings were made. Without hazarding an oijinion as to the issue of such an experiment, I shall con- 
clude by merely describing the most Uliicly way of arriving at a satisfactory conclusion. Make choice 
of two distinct kinds of Gloxinia, and take a leaf of each, carrying the whole of the footstaUi: or petiole ; 
graft the two footstalks together, by first cutting off a portion fi-om one side of each, say to the length 
of a couple of inches, and, leaving the bottom parts quite thin, in the form of a half wedge, or the 
bottom of an apple-shoot cut for whip or tongue grafting ; bind the mcarefuUy together, leaving a short 
space at the bottom free to facilitate the emission of roots, but take especial cai-e that the bottom 
points are held closely together. Now, as it is well known that such leaves will soon form tubers when 
put in as cuttings, we may easily conceive it possible for two of them thus united to produce but one 
bulb or tuber ; and if so, is it not very reasonable to beheve that a bud or buds issuing fi'om such a tuber 
would inherit the properties of the two parent plants ft-om wliich the leaves were cut ? It may be neces- 
sary to remark, for the guidance of the uninitiated, that the leaves for this pm-pose must not be cut too 
close to the stem of the plant for fear of oarryingwith it the natm-al buds, so to speak. Wliether a tuber 
formed by a leaf-cutting is fed more fi-om one side of the footstalk or not, has not been recorded, if 
even ascertained ; therefore it may be as well to join a pair back to back, and another pair with the 
fi'ont of the leaves facing each other. Although this difference in the position of the parts may appear 
to some to bo a mere trifle, I have known a less important cause to derange a whole sot of experiments 
for twelve months. 
^em 
