270 On the Cultivation and 



white Dutch and red, might be a vahiable mule. It is probable 

 the black also may be induced to sport from that steady cha- 

 racter it has hitherto maintained ; there are but few domesti- 

 cated plants but which (like animals) depart, in some way or 

 other, from their native caste. 



Of the Cherry. — Cultivation has accomplished wonders in 

 the improvement of this beautiful native fruit. Instead of a 

 lofty forest-tree bearing small bitter fruit, it has been long in- 

 troduced to our orchards, is changed in appearance and habit, 

 and even in its manner of bearing ; has sported into many va- 

 rieties, as numerous as they are excellent — nor is such im- 

 provement at an end : several new varieties have lately started 

 into existence, children of the experiments of the first orchadist 

 in the world, whose practical abilities are only equalled by his 

 superlatively scientific knowledge, and whose extensive useful- 

 ness in rural economy can only be compared with his amenity 

 of character as an English gentleman ; and who, it is hoped, 

 may long live to complete his tmmerous improvements, and to 

 lead and direct the current of pomology, which is now, more 

 than ever, finding its way over the whole land. 



Of the Plum. — The lowest grade of this class of fruits is the 

 almost useless sloe in the hedge ; and none but those in some 

 degree acquainted with the matter could, on beholding the 

 acidous, puny sloe, and the ample, luscious magnum bonum 

 plum, together, readily believe that they were kindred, or that 

 the former was the primitive representative of the latter. The 

 intermediate links of this connection are the bullace, muscle, 

 damacene, &c., of all which there are many varieties. In nur- 

 serymen's lists, there are many improved sorts, not only excel- 

 lent plums, but excellent fruit, — the green gage and imperatrice 

 are admirable ; and as it is more than probable that many of 

 our dessert sorts have been the mere offspring of chance, what 

 may we not expect, when the ingenuity and judgment of the 

 practitioner is applied to accomplish such an end ? 



Of the Pear. — This well-known garden-fruit was originally 

 an inhabitant of European forests : there it grew to be a middle- 

 sized tree, with small leaves, and hard, crude-tasted, petty fruit: 

 since its introduction and naturalization irt the orchard, it has 

 well repaid the planter's care : the keeping quality of the fruit, 



