573 
varieties can be raised equally valuable, let us see whether the duration of the old ones may not be 
considerably prolonged by art. 
Now the life of every tree appears to be greatly prolonged, when its branches are frequently 
taken off; and there is not the least doubt but that the life of an Apple or Pear might be prolonged 
to thrice its natural period, by robbing it of its branches as soon as the qualities of its fruit are 
known; and retaining it as a pollard, or rather as a stool in a coppice, which is felled at regular 
periods: for these are known to possess a much greater degree of durability, than the same kind of 
tree in the natural state; and to produce a more vigorous succession of branches during several cen¬ 
turies. It is however probable that after a certain period, each effort of nature will be inferior to 
the preceding: for timber trees which spring from old stools, are observed to attain only a small 
stature, with an early maturity and decay. Should any valuable variety of the Apple be retained in 
the state here described, its branches should be taken off every third or fourth year, and used for 
grafts, and it should never be suffered to produce fruit or blossoms. Under this mode of treatment, 
there is little doubt but that the same variety might be propagated through many centuries. 
It appears also probable that the latter period of the existence of the Apple-tree would be con¬ 
siderably prolonged in a southern climate, for all the old varieties succeed best in warm situations, 
and the most diseased flourish with the greatest vigour when trained to a south wall. This mode of 
culture might probably be adopted with advantage, when new varieties are to be obtained from 
seed ; and the production of these must be the first thing to engage the attention of the planter of 
the present day.* 
For this purpose, Mr. Marshall recommends to elect among the varieties, individuals of the 
highest flavour : to sow the seeds in a highly enriched seed-bed : to select from among the seedlings 
the plants wherein the wood and leaves have the best appearance: to transplant these into a rich 
deep soil, in a good situation, at due distances : letting them remain in this nursery, until they begin 
to bear. 
With the seeds of the fairest, richest, and best flavoured fruit, repeat this process: and at the 
same time, or in due season, engraft the wood which produced this fruit, on that of the richest, 
sweetest, best-flavoured Apple: repeating this operation, and transferring the subject under improve¬ 
ment, from one tree and sort to another, as richness, flavour or firmness may require. Continuing 
this double mode of improvement, until the desired fruit be obtained.-f* 
Such trials are certainly worth making; but it would be difficult to say what might be the issue 
of them until they are actually made. 
When Mr. Knight began to suspect that his endeavours to propagate the old fruits would not be 
successful, he selected seeds of some of the best kinds, with an intention to propagate new ones: but 
he soon found that many of the young plants, particularly those from the Golden Pippin, were 
nearly as much diseased as the trees which produced them. He several times raised three or four 
plants from seeds taken from one Apple, and when this had been produced by a diseased tree, he 
had not only as many varieties as there were seeds, but some were much diseased, and others appa¬ 
rent! v healthy; though the seeds were sown in the same soil, and the plants afterwards grew within 
two feet of each other in the nursery. Grafts having been inserted from each, retained the habits of 
the tree from which they were taken. Few, however, if any, appeared to possess a sufficient degree 
* Treatise on the culture of the Apple and Pear, p. 10 to 23. 
j- Gloucestershire, 4. 249* 
7 F 
