I have long been satisfied that the popular prejudice existing against grafted Conifers has no substantial foundation, provided proper scions and stocks are used. But in no branch of horticulture is this matter more important, or worthy of more attentive study. It is unfortunate for purchasers that unsuitable natures should so readily unite to assume the appearance of healthy and perfect trees, while in reality they contain within them the seeds of decrepitude and early death. We could almost wish it was not so; but, as it is so, the best guarantee against disappointment and loss rests in the intelligence, experience and honesty of the cultivator.

It is well known that the heavy wooded Pines - as Pinus ponderosa and P. macrocarpa - will grow very well if grafted on the Scotch Pine; but, so treated, they soon over-swell the stock, become top-heavy, and pass into a stunted and deformed state. If, however, these kinds are grafted on the Austrian Pine, and the scions are rooted from the lower end, perfect and durable trees are the result. And this is but an example where many cases of a like nature might be adduced.

But there is also an objection against grafted plants existing in point of time, rather than in fact. If side-shoots of Pinus and Abies are used as scions, however suitable the stocks, a portion only will form leaders, and these at long intervals of time. Such, therefore, should not be purchased until they have attained the condition of perfectly-formed trees, with good leaders; or the purchaser may have to wait for the denouement somewhat longer than is agreeable.

Once more. Using a tender stock, as the common Cypress, or China Arbor Vitae, for the genera Cupressus and Thuja, is objectionable; because such plants are liable to be killed at the root in case of severe frost. With these exceptions, I cannot see why a grafted Conifer should not be as good as a grafted Apple or a grafted Pear; and if the objections rest only on prejudice, it is most desirable that they should be removed.

Let me now adduce one or two facts in support of these opinions. Many years ago, I commenced forming an arboretum, intended to contain specimens of the most valuable hardy trees suited to the open air in the climate north of London; and these now amount to nearly 1000 species and varieties, gathered from various sources, at home and abroad. At the outset, many of the Conifers could not be obtained otherwise than grafted, nineteen out of twenty of which are now handsome and flourishing trees. Pinus Lambertiana, grafted on P. exceha, is fifteen feet high, and everything one could wish for. Pinus macrocarpa, grafted on the Austrian Pine, is sixteen feet. An incident in the history of this latter tree may not be uninteresting to your readers, as showing the advantages arising from the application of such horticultural knowledge as we may possess.

The first year after being turned into the ground, the plant made but little progress, which led me to suspect that all was not right at the root; accord-ing-ly, in the month of October, the soil was carefully removed; when lo! the scion was found overlapping the stock on one side. The fact was unsatisfactory, but the remedy was apparent. The point of a knife was inserted two inches above the line of junction, and passed through the bark, drawing it downwards the length of four inches. The projecting portion of the scion, which extended and formed callus nearly the half of its circumference, was then pared down with the knife, and the soil firmly replaced. Two years afterwards, the soil was again removed, and the other half of the scion, although firmly and satisfactorily united, was served in the same way; an abundance of roots was emitted from these incisions; the plant soon commenced growing vigorously, and is now as handsome a specimen, for its size, as any in the kingdom.

Take another instance. A small plant of Picea nobilis was purchased of the late Mr. Cunningham, of Edinburgh; it was a mere side-shoot grafted on the Balsam, or Silver Fir. For five or six years it retained the lateral growth; a leader then sprung into existence, favored by pruning and liberal feeding; and the tree is now ten feet high, as symmetrical as if it had been cast in a mould.

While speaking of the Picea nobilti, I may, perhaps, be allowed to express the opinion that grafted plants may be preferable to seedlings, unless the latter have been raised from foreign seed. It is said that much of the seed perfected in England is the result of artificial fertilization with the Silver Fir. Now, if this is so, is it not probable that the seedlings will partake, in some degree, of the nature of each parent? And if the habit of vegetating before the spring frosts are gone - natural to the Silver Fir, but from which the Picea nobilis is happily exempt - be transmitted to these seedlings, they will clearly be of little value; for, while of matchless beauty, the greatest value of the Picea nobilis attaches to the fact that it does not grow until late in spring, thereby escaping the damaging effects of the late frosts. - The Scottish Gardener.