112 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



These are complicated cjuestions ; they are no less important 

 questions, for upon their correct solution and correct following 

 hinges much of the success of fruit growing. It is very neces- 

 sary that we should understand them and understand them cor- 

 rectly, that we may follow the correct methods of fruit improve- 

 ment. 



While these questions may seem complicated, as we undertake 

 to solve them by considering only one special group of life, 

 much of the difficulty is removed when we consider them in 

 connection with all life ; and that life governed by one collective 

 law. As we can better understand the workings of the laws 

 which govern those lives of a higher order, we have only to apply 

 the same to those of a lower, in order that we may better 

 understand them also ; and as we more closely study these uni- 

 versal laws of life, we not only grow wiser in that wisdom that 

 better fits us to perform the duties in the business department 

 of our lives, but infinitely wiser in that wisdom which more 

 fully comprehends that the world is truly His and that He 

 made it. 



Please imagine again for just a moment that I am holding 

 that tiny strawberry seed. Within it, in a dormant state, are 

 the combined qualities, in the abstract, of two opposite natures, 

 in sex. The combination of qualities makes the individuality 

 in the life that is to be. There never has been, there never will 

 be again, another combination exactly like it. Nature never 

 repeats. Although the parentage of this little seed may be 

 unknown, when the plant is developed, from its characteristics, 

 an expert can quite easily tell to what family it belongs. 



The value of a seedling plant over its parents depends upon 

 the desirable combinations of their best qualities. This com- 

 bination of desirable qualities is very rare, however, and there 

 is not one chance in 400 of a seedling's being better than its 

 parents. 



While these seedlings are developing it is very necessary that 

 they be cultivated in a way to strengthen, and thus enhance their 

 valuable qualities. Many valuable seedlings are ruined from 

 the very start by wrong culture. This work should be intrusted 

 to none but experts. 



