KAISING FEUITS FEOM SEED. 



thing to boast of, but a simple truth. In this country there are few tenants; all, or 

 nearly all, are proprietors, and have all the encouragement which belongs to the indis- 

 putable ownership of the soil. Added to this, is a vast territory, fertile soil, and a 

 climate varied in such a manner that here we can succeed with one class of fruits, and 

 there with another. Within the present boundaries of these United States, all or 

 nearly all, the fruits cultivated for the use of man can be grown successfully in the 

 open air. 



All our experience, up to the present time, teaches us that our success in a great 

 measure depends upon having varieties perfectly adapted to sectional or local circum- 

 stances, such as soil, climate, &c. Soine varieties admit of a much wider diffusion 

 than others, but none are everywhere successful. This fact is settled pretty well. The 

 great work of the day, is that of ascertaining what varieties are best adapted to certain 

 locahties. This is very well, but not enough ; knowing what peculiarities our soil and 

 climate require, we must aim at originating varieties possessing those peculiarities. 

 This is a department of labor to which we earnestly commend every cultivator. By 

 sowing the seeds of those varieties which come the nearest to what we want, we stand 

 a great chance to make improvement. Our best native fruits are chance seedlings 

 from the best old sorts. In many cases their parentage is obvious. Even in Europe 

 a large number of the new varieties have been obtained from seed of the best old 

 sorts : the family connection is plainly traceable by observing cultivators. 



"Without following this subject further at present, we will give the views of an 

 eminent cultivator and pomologist, the lion. Marshall P. Wilder, in his address 

 before the Pomological Society at Boston, on the 13th of September last: 



"My next suggestion relates to the froiuetion from seed of new varieties of fruits adaj)- 

 ted to particular localities, or to general cultitation. 



" The immense loss to American cultivators, from the importation of foreign varieties, in 

 many instances not well adapted to the countries from which they come, and often still less 

 adapted to our soil and climate, suggests the importance of raising from seed, native sorts 

 winch, in most instances, possess peculiar advantages. It is now generally conceded that 

 the trees and plants of a given country, like its aboriginal inhabitants, will flourish better 

 at home than in most foreign localities. 



" We rejoice that public attention has been turned to this subject by some of our horti- 

 cultural journalists, and that many cultivators and amateurs are engaged in this interesting 

 and promising department. The success which has crowned their exertions alfords great 

 encouragement to perseverance. Witness, for instance, thirty or more varieties of tie 

 Cherry, by Dr. Kietland, of Ohio, which appear adapted to our eastern climate, and some 

 of them of superior excellence. Witness the numerous varieties of the Easpberry, by Dr. 

 Brixckle, Ex-President of this Society, of which, some have endured, without covering, 

 the severities of the last winter in the New England States, and which also promise to be 

 valuable contributions to American pomology. In addition to these, how many new varie- 

 ties of the Api^le, the Pear, the Plum, and the Grape have recently been added to the list 

 of American fi-uits. IIow many new and excellent varieties of the Strawberry have ap- 

 peared since the introduction of Mr. Hovey's seedlings. 



" These are sure indications of the success which will reward future efforts to 



