364 Ohio Slate Ilortlcultni'al SocicJj'. 



in the direction of sweetness than in that of acidity. Huckleberries, also, have 

 probably nearly reached their perfection unassisted. 



A few wild fruits may be mentioned which manifestly have great capabilities, that 

 may or may not be developed in the future. The leading instances in my mind are the 

 Persimmon and the Papaw, — not the true Papaw, of course, which we have in Florida, 

 but the Asimina or Western Papaw, so-called. Both Persimmons and Papaws are 

 freely offering from spontaneous seedlings, incipient choicer varieties to be selected 

 from; both fruit when only a few years old, thereby accelerating the fixation of 

 selected varieties into races ; and both give fruits of types wholly distinct from any 

 others we possess of temperate climates. He that has not tasted a Kaki has no con- 

 ception of the capabilities of the Diuspyms genus. The Custard Apples of the 

 West Indies give some idea of what might be made of our Papaw, when ameliorated 

 by cultivation and close selection from several generations. I have understood that 

 one of the veteran pomologists of the country, Dr. Kirtland, of Ohio, a good while 

 ago initiated a course of experiments upon the Papaw, in this regard; it would be 

 well to know with what success, and whether the breeding and selection have been 

 continued through successive generations. 



Our American plums, already mentioned, have for many years been in some sort of 

 cultivation, and have improved upon the wild forms; but I suppose they have not 

 been systematically attended to. Their exterior liability to black-knot and other 

 attacks renders them for the present unsuccessful. 



Finally, 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 marrons 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. Varying as they do excessively in the thickness of the shell and in 

 the size and flavor of the kernel, they are inviting your attention, and promising to 

 reward your care. The Peccan is waiting to have the bitter matter between the shell 

 and the kernel bred out ; the Butternuts and Black walnuts to have their excess of 

 oil turned into farinaceous and sugary matter, and their ohells thinned and smootlied 

 by continued good breeding; when they will much surpass the European Walnut. 



All this requires time, almost unlimited time ; but it is not for thos.: who are 

 enioying the fruits which it has taken thousands of years to perfect, to refrain from the 

 good work which is to increase the enjoyments of far future generations. 



Ohio State Horticultural Society. 



rilHE annual meeting of this society will be held at Mansfield, December 10th, 

 -L 11th and 12th. The friends of horticulture, in that city and vicinity, are making 

 liberal preparations for the meeting, and a cordial invitation is extended to all per- 

 sons interested in the cause to attend ; also to bring or send to the meeting choice 

 specimens of fruits — especially new or rare varieties — for examination and discus- 

 sion. Dr. J. A. Warder, the president of the society, has been absent during the 

 summer and fall, as Commissioner at Vienna, but is expected to be present at the 

 meeting. M. B. B. 



