The Adaptation of Fruits to Climate and Soil. 251 



The little stream, that issues from the unpretentious lake (Itasca) nestling 

 in the wilderness, gives no promise of its coming grandeur, but glides quietly 

 onward, through forests and marshes, past the cabin of the pioneer and the 

 camp of the lumberman, until, upon its banks, the crimson apple and tempt- 

 ing pear appear. Still ownward it flows, past noisy towns and pretentious 

 cities, gaining force and volume at every step, until the blushing peach and 

 purple grape tempt the voyager upon its turbid waters. Onward, still on- 

 w^ard, as if anxious to meet its destiny, it rushes, and now upon its bosom 

 floats the commerce of a nation, and upon its banks flourish the orange, 

 lemon and fig. Is it not evident that the great variety of products, espe- 

 cially, fruits growing in this great valley, ranging from the cranberry of the 

 North to the orange of the South, through nearly twenty degrees of latitude, 

 and that have become a necessity in everj- well ordered household, not only 

 in our own, but in many other lands, will bring such wealth as will finally 

 make it the Eldorado which the intrepid Spaniard so eagerly sought. Was 

 it not an inspiration, rather a fancy, that whispered in his ear the wonderful 

 destiny of this newly-discovered land ? 



" Know ye the land of the cedar and vine, 

 Wliere the flowers ever blosso/a, the beams ever shine ; 

 Where the light-winged zephyr oppressed with perfume, 

 Wax faint o'er the garden of Gul in her bloom ; 

 Where the citron and olive are fairest of* fruit, 

 And the voice of the nightingale never is mute ; 

 Where the tints of the earth, and the hue of the sky 

 In color, though varied, in beauty may vie, 

 And the purple of ocean is deepest in dye?" 



In conclusion, permit me to say, that to us who left our ice-bound homes 

 but a few days ago, this wonderful transformation to advancing vegetation, 

 veraal fields and sunny skies seems like a miracle. To say that we are en- 

 joying our visit but feebly expresses the thought we desire to convey ; but 

 the many pleasant incidents connected with it will ever be treasured among 

 the pleasant memories of our lives. 



THE ADAPTATIOX OF FRUITS TO CLIMATE AND SOIL. 



BY J. C. PLUMB, OF WISCONSIN. 



This subject, wdiich I can here but briefly outline, is the one central topic 

 around which cluster all theory and practice, all experience and observation; 

 that which underlies all the art and science of fruit growing. 



Climate and soil are natural conditions which may be modified, but never 

 materially changed in a given locality, except by very expensive processes, 

 which forbid general use, nor which can materially and permanently affect 



