18 ON BREEDING OR RAISING VEGETABLES. 



" and, moreover, the seeds of those apples so 

 " generated being changed by that means from 

 " their natural qualities, will produce diiferent 

 *♦ kinds of fruits if they are sown. It is from 

 ** the accidental coupling that proceeds the 

 ** numberless varieties of fruit and flowers which 

 *' are raised every day from seed." 



The latter part of these observations, no doubt, 

 are correct ; but in his supposition, that the 

 coupling of the farina changes the flavour or the 

 general qualities of the immediate fruit, this 

 author is mistaken, as it produces no such effect. 

 The change takes place in the seed alone, and, 

 therefore, can only be discoverable in the next 

 generation. By this accidental coupling, there 

 can be no doubt, but that variety in every species, 

 is principally produced ; and by taking advan- 

 tage of this, and directing, and partially divert- 

 ing, the usual course of nature, changes in the 

 habits, and general properties of vegetables, and 

 their fruits, may be produced, as well as in 

 animals. By admixing the farina of the blossoms, 

 and planting the seeds, varieties of potatoes are 

 obtained j but no variety can be obtained by 

 planting the potatoes themselves, either by vary- 

 ing the soil or mode of culture. And the same 

 may be said of apples, and other fruits ; for let 

 trees be propagated in whatever numbers, by 



