MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 103 
our wild red and yellow Prunus americana, which have already 
shown great capacity for improvement; our cherries might 
have been as well flavored, but probably not so large as they 
are now. But instead of peaches and figs we should be dis- 
cussing manifold and most. luscious varieties of persimmon 
and papaw, the former probably equal to the Kaki, acquired 
from the Far East. As to strawberries, gooseberries, and cur- 
rants, we should have lost nothing and gained something, as 
we possess several species as well as the European types them- 
selves, As to blackberries and raspberries, we should have 
been better off than now, by the earlier development and diver- 
sification of our indigenous species. 
‘‘And we might have had all of our finest strawberries a 
thousand or more years ago, these having come from our 
American types, Fragaria virginiana and its varieties (which, 
as well as the old world F. vesca, occurs all across the con- 
tinent), and F. Chilensts which ascends the Pacific coast to 
Oregon. 
‘Had civilization had its birthplace in America, our 
ercundnut, Aptos tuberosa, would have been the first de- 
veloped esculent tuber, and would probably have held its 
place in the first rank along with potatoes and sweet pota- 
toes of later acquisition * * * * 
‘‘Winally, if pomology includes nuts, there is a promising 
field uncultivated. Our wild chestnuts are sweeter than those 
of the old world; it would be well to try whether races might 
not be developed with the nuts as large as marrows or Spanish 
chestnuts, and without diminution of flavor. If we were not 
too easily satisfied with a mere choice among spontaneous 
hickory nuts, we might have much better and thinner shelled 
ones. * * * * The butternuts and black walnuts are waiting 
to have their excess of oil turned into farinaceous and sugary 
matter, and their shells thinned and smoothed by continuous 
good breeding; when they will much surpass the European 
walnut. 
‘‘All this requires time, unlimited time; but it 1s not for 
those who are enjoying the fruits which it has taken thou- 
sands of years to perfect, to refrain from the good work 
which is to increase the enjoyment of far future generations.’’ 
Sinee the delivery of this address by Dr. Gray, much 
has been accomplished with our native fruits, particularly 
the nuts, but the possibilities are still unlimited and may 
