212 TRANSACTIONS OP THE ILLINOIS 



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obtained in other lands by the art of hybridization in the vegetable king- 

 dom. To this art we are mainly indebted for the numerous fine varieties 

 of grains, vegetables and flowers, introduced in our own time, and the 

 same success will reward similar efforts to produce new and valuable 

 fruits suited to our own climes. Says Prof. Gray, in his admirable essay 

 at our last session, " Most of our important fruits have not so much been 

 given to man, as made by him, and man's work in this respect is mainly 

 to direct the course or tendency of nature." The success which has 

 attended the American florist in the production of new and fine varieties 

 of the camellia, the rose, and other plants which rival the choicest varie- 

 ties of the Old World, is indeed remarkable, and it will indeed be far 

 greater when the same scientific knowledge is applied to the production of 

 native fruits. 



The laws which govern the procreation of species by cross impreg- 

 nation are now so well understood by those who have scientific knowledge, 

 as to leave no doubt of success. Thus the farmer, as well as the florist, is 

 producing results which, as to form, habit, color, proportion and beauty, 

 surprise the operator himself when he sees how kindly nature co-operates 

 with his efforts to bring forth the object of his desires. There may be 

 disappointments — these are the lot of humanity — but the philosophical 

 principle is correct, and the results of practice are now universally ac- 

 knowledged ; and although the improvement sought for may not be real- 

 ized in every instance, experience has taught us that it will come at last. 

 But my object is to encourage our cultivators in the belief that, by the sow- 

 ing of the seeds of our best varieties, and by cross impregnation, there is a 

 wide field open for improvement, and that all other attempts at acclima- 

 tion are fruitless. And have you ever thought, my friends, of the many 

 fine fruits which you might have raised by the sowing of seeds which you 

 have carelessly thrown away? Not that I would discourage the planting 

 and proving of the new varieties from other regions, holding fast such as are 

 suited ; and where they do not succeed in one location, it is possible they 

 may be' adapted to another. This is especially true with regard to the 

 varieties of strawberries. While one cultivator can not grow the variety 

 bearing my name, another declares he will grow no other ; and thus with 

 the Hovey's Seedling, which, after forty-two years of existence, has this 

 year carried off the highest prize offered by the Massachusetts Horticul- 

 tural Society for the strawberry. 



