296 ANNUAL REPOKT. 



fewest seeded berry. On fruiting the row, this last hill gave the 

 best flavored berries of all. This was in 1883. Further results 

 from the same row, as to productiveness and quality, vigor and 

 habits of the plants, comparatively, will be interesting. 



The reason suggested by Dr. Sturtevant for this apparent rule of 

 reproduction, is that nature, under the care of man, is relieved in 

 part from the necessity of exerting her powers to protect and pre- 

 serve the plant in the natural war of races and individuals, wherein 

 only the fittest survive; and the reproductive instinct lessening or 

 sleeping under this case, the improvement of conditions in culti- 

 vation, goes to the pulp or receptacle of the seeds and enhances the 

 quality. This is not the Doctor's language, but "for short" is be- 

 lieved to be his idea. 



To improve the hardhiess, therefore, the rule of selection of seeds 

 would be the reverse; that is, take the many or plump seeded 

 kinds, and so on from generation to generation. G. 



ENCOURAGEMENT OF BETTER QUALITY IN FRUITS — POMOLOGY IN 

 PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 



President T. T. Lyon, South Haven, Mich. Trees of varieties of 

 fruit of high quality, being usually poor growers, should be cata- 

 logued by nurserymen at higher prices. 



And while legislators are moving in the effort to provide for 

 the instruction of children in our common schools respecting the 

 injurious effects of alcoholic beverages upon the human system, 

 may it not be altogether wise and proper that we, sustained as we 

 will be by the deductions of the medical fraternity, present as 

 nature's favorite preventive, if not her antidote for this sovereign 

 €vil, the free and abundant use of ripe fruits, and to urge at the 

 same time as a most effective means of accomplishing this object, 

 the teaching in our common schools, as well as in higher institu- 

 tions of learning, the fundamental principles of pomology, including 

 the origination, care and management of trees and plants. 



STRAWBERRIES. 



Under this head are selected only the points in discussion thought 

 to be of most practical value to Minnesota. The facts given in 

 respect to influence of pollen are given in another article. 



