state: POMOI.OGICAL society. Ill 



If these runners are detached as soon as formed, the plants will 

 be formed on the stool of the old plant and remain parts of that 

 plant. They are just as much parts of that plant, in reality, 

 if allowed to grow and root in their own way. 



It stands to reason if there is any difference in the fruiting 

 powers, formation, color, quality or size of the fruit of these 

 several plants thus formed, save from the advantage given by 

 earlier rooting, it must be of a local nature and thus can have 

 only a local effect or influence. Every one of these plants of 

 equal age was designed by Nature to be of equal value for 

 propagation purposes. 



Now we come to the most vital question: Can we improve 

 our fruit stock by selection further than to select for health 

 and strength, except through seed? Here is my answer to this 

 question : Imagine that I hold here between my thumb and 

 finger the tiny seed of a strawberry, incased in a hard 

 shell, which is more easily ruptured after it has been frozen — 

 clearly showing from the very start the climate best suited for its 

 development. Within that tiny case, sealed up, in the embryo, 

 is a strawberry plant and its fruit, but in the plant and its fruit 

 must be a consideration for the future. Within that little case, 

 so to speak, are all the plans, drawn by that greatest of all Archi- 

 tects, and all the tools necessary to build and model the future 

 plant and its fruit ; the mixing pots for the coloring, the brushes 

 and all paraphernalia, is all, all there ; and when the work goes 

 on, it must at all times be under the watchful eye of that great 

 /architect. Is there any reason for us to doubt that if all proper 

 material is furnished and conditions favorable, the highest 

 degree of perfection possible will be the result? Is it within 

 man to improve upon the plans and labors of Nature ? Man was 

 made to serve Nature, not to be her master ; her pupil, not her 

 instructor. 



But Nature is a very indulgent mistress. She understands 

 well the caprice of man, and seeks to satisfy it in every reason- 

 able way. She will allow man to assist her in many ways, but 

 she will not allow him to dictate to her how she shall do her 

 work, how much she shall do, or how long she shall be in 

 doing it. 



