I06 MAINE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. I906. 



Such, in brief, are the beginnings of the science of plant 

 breeding, as exempHfied in the amehoration of domesticated 

 fruits. Early in the nineteenth century the more advanced 

 horticulturists were awakening to the fact that plants as well 

 as animals are capable of improvement by systematic breeding. 

 As the years have gone on, knowledge of the factors involved, 

 and of methods of procedure, has increased, with the result 

 that a new horticulture has developed in this country. Euro- 

 pean varieties and European methods of culture have been 

 superseded by varieties and methods of American origin, — 

 varieties and methods better suited to the very different climatic 

 conditions and to popular demands. 



The Development of American Pomology. 



The records of early attempts at fruit growing in America 

 are mostly records of failure. The varieties first grown were 

 naturally those brought from Europe, and though in the begin- 

 ning of the last century American seedlings were beginning 

 to attract attention, still the chief effort to extend the range 

 of culture was by the introduction of new varieties from 

 Europe. This was the only way known of securing new sorts.* 

 In 1830, in a letter to Gen. Dearborn, William Kenrick says : 

 ""From among 150 varieties imported into Boston by Eben 

 Preble about 1805, the only additions to desirable kinds were 

 two cherries, the Black Tartarian and the White Tartarian, 

 and a single pear." f If fruit culture in this country were 

 limited to the varieties which have come from Europe, it would 

 "be of very small proportions. At the present time, while agents 

 of the Government are scouring the world for new species and 

 varieties, plant introduction is very largely looked upon merely 

 as a means to an end. Russian, Chinese and Japanese fruits 

 are being freely introduced, not merely for their intrinsic merit, 

 and in the hope that they may thrive in their new environment, 

 but with the idea that from hybrids between them and the native 

 species, and from American grown seedlings of these imported 

 species, valuable sorts may be obtained. 



* An interesting study in this connection is that of the development 

 of the native grape. — See Bailey' Evolution of our Native Fruits. 

 t Manning, History of Massachusetts Horticultural Society, p. 42. 



