1G6 THE CANADIAN IIORTICULTUmST. 



markets in proportion to the degree of proximity to this peach, either 

 the Early or the Late. I think that most of our fruit growers will at 

 once endorse this description. 



PATENTS FOR IMPEOYED FRUITS. 



BY A. HOOD, BARRIE, ONT. 



It has long been felt desirable that there should be some means of 

 securing to those who confer benefits on the human race, by improving 

 the quality or adding to the variety of its fruits, vegetables, and 

 cereals, a part of the value of those benefits, in same measure pro- 

 portionate to their worth, and as a reward for their diligence and 

 perseverance; aye, and in some cases to a life-long devotion of their 

 time and talents which have been directed to the attainment of those 

 ends. 



It is unjust to those who have labored for the advancement of any 

 particular science or art, that no sooner have they met with some 

 degree of success, and begun to disseminate any improved varieties of 

 fruits they may have been so fortunate as to produce, than third 

 parties step in, propagate the fruits thus disseminated, and place on 

 the market in competition with the original producer before he has 

 begun to reap the reward of his skill and perseverance. It is not 

 necessary to discuss the question as to how far the producer's interest 

 in the results of his skill should extend. It may be an open question 

 whether a man has an exclusive right to the creations of his own 

 brain, whether in literature, in mechanical skill, or the products of the 

 soil. It may be argued that if nature has given an individual talents, 

 he owes something to nature for the gift; that he #iay not hide his 

 talents under a bushel, but is expected to use them and improve them, 

 not for his own benefit alone, but for that of the whole human race. 

 Be this as it may, no one will dispute that "the laborer is worthy of 

 his hire," and it will scarcely be claimed that labor of the kind under 

 discussion is ever too well rewarded, while it certainly will not be 

 denied that in a great majority of cases the compensation is quite in- 

 adequate. It is with a view of suggesting a plan by the adoption of 

 which this long-felt "^ant will be satisfied, that the writer has taken pen 

 in hand; and if in striving to attain this one object some other desirable 

 points should be gained, it will be killing several birds at one throw. 



