9 



and it is also a method somewhat uncertain. It is 

 still by means of the wonderful virtue that is con- 

 tained in the seed by which a new variety is to be 

 produced. 



The best fruits it was well known were those rais- 

 ed from the stone or the seed. At the village of Mon- 

 treuil, near Paris, as it is stated by Sir J. Banks, 

 where formerly the whole inhabitants were maintained 

 by the raising of peaches, the best fruits were never 

 budded or grafted, but always reared from the stone. 



There seems to be a very wonderful quality in the 

 seed, and it is well known in the cultivation of 

 annuals introduced from a warm climate, that if the 

 season be of sufficient length for them to ripen their 

 seeds, they (the seeds) become of such a virtue as to 

 be able to resist the severest frosts with impunity. 

 So speedily does nature strive to adapt herself to the 

 new situations and exposures she may meet. 



It is also well known that plants and perennial 

 shrubs do not grow hardier by time, when placed in 

 a new exposure, that the suckers or cuttings from 

 them also do not, but take with them the same qual- 

 ity possessed by the stock from which they have been 

 separated. But that the true method of inuring ten- 

 der plants to colder climates, is by planting the seed 

 perfected in such cUmate. In this way, many of the 

 more beautiful plants of the South have been and more 

 still may be made to perfect their seeds here, and 

 others raised from their seed might be made to en- 

 dure our winter and adorn our grounds. 



This method was pointed out by Sir Joseph Banks 

 twenty years since, and he felt assured that though 



