FRUIT CULTURE. 739 



man &quot;by the Creator, that it might be developed to its utmost extent in the improvement of 

 both animal and vegetable life. 



Thus, we are to work, in accordance with His command and that divine wisdom which 

 is ever tending towards a higher state of perfection nature is the handmaid, man the agent 

 to cooperate with her and the highest triumph of his skill is to control and elevate her for 

 the benefit of our race. It is the part of man to create, says Ralph Waldo Emerson, and 

 his profession as a cultivator of the soil, too, stands nearest to God, the first cause. The first 

 seeds sown by man were the germs from which sprang the civilization, elevation, and refine 

 ment of the human race. So it is with the amelioration and improvement of our fruits. 

 From the sour crab, the puckery pear, the bitter almond, and the austere plum, came the 

 the tender, spicy apple, the melting, juicy pear, the velvet, luscious peach, the delicious purple 

 or golden plum, and from our rank, foxy grape, came the splendid varieties which now adorn 

 our tables and &amp;lt; make glad the heart of man. 



The laws of reproduction we do not now fully understand, but from the improvement 

 which we have already witnessed we have reason to believe that we have only to become 

 familiar with their operations and our efforts will be crowned with success. There may be a 

 limit beyond which a fruit may not be improved; but the marvel is, that, considering the 

 inferior character of the fruits of former days, we have been able to produce so many of the 

 fine varieties which now grace our exhibitions. And when we take into consideration the 

 number of fine varieties of American origin which have been produced during the existence 

 of pomological societies in our country, we have cause for the greatest encouragement and 

 perseverance. 



But great as the acquisitions have been, still greater results are to follow. When we 

 look at the advance in strawberry and grape culture, and the numerous fine kinds which have 

 been originated from seed within a few years, who is not desirous of renewing his efforts in 

 the prosecution of this good work. 



It is strange that Duhamel had so little confidence in obtaining good pears from the 

 natural seeds, and we cannot account for his ill success in any other way except that of sow 

 ing the seed of poor varieties. But thanks to Van Mons for his enterprise, although the 

 improvement which he claimed from the process of amelioration by sowing the seeds of suc 

 cessive generations of the pear, we believe came from the natural crossing of his best sorts in 

 the same grounds. On my own part, I have to say, that could my life be prolonged for 

 another four score and three years, I would devote them all to the promotion of this most 

 benevolent and interesting employment. 



Every year affords us an additional evidence, in the acquisitions of new and valuable 

 kinds, and of the ease with which they may be possessed. These are the only methods by 

 which we can expect to obtain new and improved fruits or to produce substitutes for those 

 which may in time become deteriorated and unprofitable for cultivation. The process of 

 hybridization is simple, whether by the air, insects, or the hand of man, and we have only to 

 have due regard to the characteristics of the parents from which we breed; plant the most 

 mature and perfect seeds .of the most hardy, vigorous, and valuable varieties; and as a shorter 

 process, insuring more certain and happy results, cross or hybridize your lest fruits. 



Plant the best seeds of every good fruit, 

 Good fruits to raise, all lands to suit, 

 Fruits which shall live, their blessings to shed 

 On millions of souls when we shall be dead. 



These are creations that do the world good, 

 Treasures and pleasures with health in our food, 

 Pleasures which leave in the mem ry no sting, 

 No grief in the soul ; no stain on Time s wing. 



