MICHIGAX STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 47 



But who their virtues can declare? Who pierce 

 With vision pure, into their secret stores 

 Of health, and life, and joy? 



See how eagerly the children watch the first rij)e strawberry, 

 and how indiistrionsly they fill the basket with this most 

 beautiful of all the berry family. See how the burning fever 

 is assuaged and the parched lips refreshed by this cool and 

 luscious fruit, infusing as it does new vigor and new hope to 

 the heart of the desponding invalid. 'Nor is the hope falla- 

 cious in many cases, for in the whole catalogue of simple, 

 direct, and efficacious remedies, what is there more potent to 

 temper and purify the blood and infuse healthful exhilaration ? 

 Linnaeus was himself cured of the gout by this fruit, and how 

 many have been cured since can never be told. 



To jsroduce strawberries in abundance, so that they can be 

 enjoyed by all, is a philanthropic ambition worthy of a How- 

 ard, and we are sure it would be applauded by Florence Night- 

 ingale, with all the enthusiasm of her generous and sympa- 

 thetic nature. The mission of the fruit-grower is as much one 

 of blessing to mankind as if he confined his labors to fine-spun 

 theories of metaphysics, or advanced the most abstruse theolo- 

 gies. And the man who masters the art of strawberry culture 

 and practically overcomes the obstacles to its success, is worthy 

 of high consideration, and will long be remembered by coming 

 generations. The names of Linnaeus, Downing, Wilson, Hovey, 

 Longworth, "Wilder, and Knox are already household words, 

 and their hold on the gratitude of mankind is renewed every 

 returning spring, when the strawberries which bear these 

 names contribute their life-restoring nectar to millions of 

 homes. These men, for their labors in perfecting seedlings and 

 hybrids, cannot be overestimated. They have marked out a 

 career which renders the road to fame and fortune much easier 

 to their successors. 



