SECRETARY'S REPORT. 79 



of amelioration, or by tbat of Knights' — from cross fertilization- 

 of varieties, we recommend the planting of tbe most mature 

 and perfect seed of tbe most hardy and vigorous sorts, depend- 

 ing mainly upon natural fertilization, and upon tbe general 

 pathological principle, that like produces like. Tins recom- 

 mendation rests upon the conviction tbat immature seed, here, 

 as in other crops, will not produce a vigorous and healthy 

 offspring. 



" All experience shows," says Dr. Lindley, " tbat in every 

 kind of created thing, be it man, or beast, or bird, the myste- 

 rious principle called life remains, during the whole period 

 of existence, what it was at first. If vitality is feeble in the 

 beginning, so it remains. Weak parents produce weak chil- 

 dren, and their children's children are weaker still, as imperial 

 dynasties have shown." This theory is as applicable to the 

 vegetable kingdom as to the animal. 



May not *a disregard of this doctrine account for the great 

 number of feeble, sickly, early defoliated trees often found in 

 our grounds by the side of those that are vigorous, healthful 

 and persistent in foliage ? Is not the theory we advocate as 

 important in the production of fruit trees, as in the raising 

 of cereal grains ? Tbe skilful agriculturist saves the best seed 

 of his various crops, and selects the best animals from his 

 flocks and herds for breeders. Why should not this law of 

 reproduction regulate the practice of the pomologist as well as 

 of the farmer ? Has the All-wise and Infinite enacted several 

 laws, where one would subserve the purpose ? 



But there is one objection urged to the raising of new 

 varieties from seed, so general and powerful in its influence as 

 to merit a distinct notice. A false doctrine has prevailed, 

 founded on the theory of Van Mons, " that scions taken from 

 seedlings, and grafted into stocks, however strong and healthy, 

 will not yield fruit earlier than it may be obtained from the 

 mother plant." 



Adopting this theory as true, many cultivators have been 

 discouraged on account of the length of the process. With 

 due deference to the wisdom of this great cultivator, our 

 personal experience and observation disprove his theory. For 

 instance, the fact is familiar, that scions of the pear come into 

 bearing, when grafted on the quince, earlier than on the pear 



