40 
THE FLORIST. 
various numbers of the Florist) and in doing so I shall avoid, as far as 
possible, those technical terms often used in subjects of this kind, 
which are difficult for a non-professional to understand; 1 therefore 
then shall endeavour to give my ideas in a plain, easy manner, 
so as to be readily understood, and likely to suit the wants of the 
amateur and young gardener. 
The first point under consideration will be the propagation of fruity 
both by seed and grafting, &c. From seed to obtain new and improved 
kinds by artificial impregnation ; by grafting and budding, for the 
purpose of extending the sort, and by using proper stocks it will adapt 
foreign varieties to our climate, which is at times a little unfavourable 
to the cultivation of fruit; therefore, if we cannot suit the climate to 
the tree, our aim must be to suit the tree to the climate, and that can 
be accomplished to a certain extent by grafting on suitable stocks, 
giving the trees the advantage of a wall, and by raising native seedlings 
of a hardy and healthy class. In due course those subjects will be 
treated on as far as space will admit. 
It is also very important that the fruit-grower should know as much 
of the root of his trees and the nature of the soil as he does of their 
branches, and the skilful cultivator will learn how to regulate the 
energy of his trees. If his soil is not naturally adapted for fruit¬ 
growing, he will have recourse to artificial means, to make it so;—if 
his trees are over-luxuriant, he will prune their roots to induce fruit¬ 
fulness, and stimulate his trees if weakened by over-cropping. In 
fine, he will always aim at keeping his trees in such a condition that, 
while one crop is being brought to maturity, they should at the same 
time be preparing themselves for the next year’s produce. 
In pruning and training of the various fruit-bearing trees, if the 
rules are ever so sound for the guidance of this operation, they are 
not without exceptions, and much must be left to the discretion of 
the operator ; nothing but a little practice will overcome, and enable 
him to suit the rule to the circumstance. 
There are many other subjects connected with fruit cultivation which 
will be treated upon in the course of our proceedings, and I hope, by 
the aid of a few illustrations, to be found sufficiently intelligible. 
In the first place, and in immediate connection with fruit culture, is 
its propagation, which every fruit grower, however small, should be ’ 
made acquainted with, and it is necessary that every cultivator should 
possess a knowledge of how, and by what means the different kinds are 
increased, so that he may extend any favourite variety. 
All fruits which are grown in a British garden are increased in five 
different ways, viz.: from seed, by grafting, budding, cuttings, or 
layers. The object, as I have said, in raising from seed is to procure 
stocks for grafting, &c., and to obtain improved varieties. It is in this 
way that our gardens are filled with esteemed kinds. If we cast a look 
back to the sixteenth century, in the writings of Parkinson, Evelyn, 
and Ray, the Apple, at that time, numbered about eighty varieties, the 
Pear about sixty, and but few varieties of other fruit were then in 
existence. If we compare our fruit list of the present day, amounting 
