THOMAS ANDREW KNIGHT. 
33 
as distinctly a new and separate individual as a branch produced by a cutting. In both cases the 
bud is the source of new growth ; and physiologically speaking a seed itself differs little from a bud, 
except in being more carefully protected, and in being spontaneously detached. The embryo in a 
seed, the bud inserted in budding, the buds in a graft, or in a cutting, differ only in their position; 
and each as it developes, becomes a new individual, not a mere dependent portion of the parent. 
The embryo of the seed doubtless gives that mysterious rejuvenescence of life which ever dwelt 
so strongly in Mr. Knight’s mind, and there is this great difference, that whilst the bud necessarily 
produces the same plant, from which it is derived,. the seed even, when self fertilized, is by no 
means always true to the plant producing it, and thus a new and varied species may be produced ; 
but in each case the new plant has an independent existence, a distinct and separate life, inheriting 
doubtless, much from the parent tree, but nevertheless capable of being largely influenced by the 
circumstances of its own position. 
The apple tree forms no exception to the general rule in this respect. Elm trees we know 
have been propagated from suckers, or in these latter days by grafts, from the time of their first 
introduction by the Romans, and yet they are as luxuriant as ever. Individual Elms live their 
three or four Centuries and die from age, whilst their places are supplied by successors as strong 
and healthy as they were. The Common Laurel again, a tree of much shorter natural life, and 
which by the way bears fruit and seeds abundantly; is yet always propagated by cuttings. They 
grow as well and freely as the original trees ; so too may it be said of Willow and Poplar , and all 
the free-growing trees and shrubs our nurserymen propagate so extensively by bud, or graft, or 
cutting. 
For all these reasons it is the opinion of modern Horticultural Science, that where the soil 
and climate are naturally adapted to the growth of the apple tree, any variety of apple may be 
indefinitely prolonged with proper care and skill, 
Apple trees may be said to live too long, or not long enough for the proper preservation of 
varieties :—so long, that short-lived, selfish man has enough for his generation, and leaves their 
propagation to his successors : and yet not long enough for these successors to learn to appreciate 
the transitory life of apple trees. Thus it comes to pass, that choice varieties die out, and are lost. 
It must however be candidly admitted, that many men of great practical experience 
altogether demur to this opinion, and believe Mr. Knight’s views to be correct. “ Science may say 
what it likes ” said a very intelligent horticulturist, whose hobby fruit-growing has been for many 
years, “ Science may say what it likes, but it shall never make me believe that sorts don’t die out, 
“ for I know they do;” and this is still the general opinion in the orchards. 
Mr. Knight fully believed that all varieties of apples died out naturally of necessity, and 
thus he turned his whole attention to the growth of new and improved varieties from seedlings. 
There seems no limit to the possible multiplication of varieties : and it is scarcely an exaggeration to 
say as Philips does, 
“An inmate Orchat every apple boasts. ” 
Mr. Knight had been practising hybridization for some years, and he now took up the subject 
with renewed energy and perseverance, and by crossing the best varieties of fruits, he endeavoured to 
obtain the best characters of each, with all the vitality of a new plant. From Mr. Knight’s frequent 
reference to the views of Linnaeus in describing the results of his own experiments, it would appear that 
