POTATOES AND FRUIT TREES. 
53 
dispose most trees to produce fruit: when the boughs begin to in¬ 
cline towards the earth by their own weight, they soon form blossom 
buds, and if the seasons are favourable, bear fruit in a very great 
abundance. It may, probably, astonish the Journeyman Gardener, 
when he is informed, that I have trained shoots of the pear, pendant, 
in one season, from three to four feet; and that down a very slender 
stem, planted two years, which has produced blossom-buds at its ex¬ 
tremity ; and the following season some fine fruit, with a stem four¬ 
teen feet high. The case is a common one, and is known to many 
practical gardeners. If the Journeyman Gardener will be so obliging 
as to let me know his address, it may be in my power to pay him a 
visit, and see th % fine walls of fruit trees of which he has the con¬ 
ducting ; for I perhaps have always taken a greater interest in that, 
than any other branch of my profession, although, as he fancies, I 
have made such little progress in it. I think his tree, Vol. 1, fig. 118, 
must look very curious, and perhaps, in his eye, very ornamental, al¬ 
though I doubt not, more fruitful than horizontal, which have main¬ 
tained their station for between twenty and thirty years, through a 
judicious management of spur pruning ! 
It would be much better, if those who felt an itching to become 
critics, were not to conceal either their names or address, as, by hav¬ 
ing some knowledge of their rank in society, we might be induced 
to be less severe, from a feeling of respect which may be due from 
us : it is a respect due to themselves, and it would be acting more 
manly towards those whom they are disposed to attack. 
I should think it most ungracious in me to make any censurable 
remarks in your publication, upon the communications of any one ; 
for I applaud every one who contributes his mite towards such a 
work, as far as he is able. Such a cheap work upon the subject was 
long wanted, and I hope it will be well supported by masters, jour¬ 
neymen, and ’prentice gardeners. But no disputes about methods, 
until they are first proved unsuccessful. But I suspect that the re¬ 
marks upon my paper, was by some young novice, as its commence¬ 
ment bear evident marks. 
Now that I have done with the Journeyman Gardener for this 
time; I beg leave to press a third time, upon the notice of your 
readers, the importance of flat pieces of glass for the purposes of 
propagation, instead of the usual chrystal-bell glasses, which, for 
most purposes of that kind, are worse than useless. I had occasion 
to notice them in the London Hort. Trans, so long ago as 1820, 
(Vol. 4, page 411.) I also noticed it in your Register, page 473 ; 
and I am surprised to find, that none who visit me practice it, or 
