362 THE SURVIVAL OF THE UNLIKE. [XXII. 



have given results which show that they will equal, 

 if, indeed, they do not eclipse, the wonderful evolu- 

 tion of native grapes within a century ; and many of 

 you will recall the fact that it is less than a 

 generation ago when it was thought that roses could 

 not be successfully grown out of doors in this 

 country. Evolution undoubtedly becomes slower the 

 more the plant is improved, for it has constantly to 

 compete with its own progress ; but if worthy new 

 varieties are less frequent in the old standard fruits, 

 it does not follow that there are none. 



I assert, therefore, that the tendency to produce 

 new varieties is the means by which cultivated 

 plants are ever more and more improved and fitted 

 into new conditions and uses ; and novelties must 

 pay if horticulture is to forever pay. But not all 

 novelties pay, and the reasons must be apparent. 

 They may not be good enough to pay. Novelties 

 are introduced both hastily and indiscreetly. If the 

 philosophy of the question, as v/e have considered 

 it, teaches us anything, it is : First, that the older 

 and more improved the type, the less are the chances 

 of securing a worthy novelty ; Second, that there 

 is most use for novelties in those plants which are 

 propagated by seeds and by abnormally developed 

 parts, because such plants usually quickly run out 

 by variation ; Third, that worthy novelties appear 

 less frequently in old regions than in new ones, 

 because of greater competition of established vari- 

 eties there ; and Fourth, that the merit of a variety 

 lies in its adaptability to some particular use or 

 demand. I therefore look with caution upon novel- 

 ties in the old standard fi'uits and in the old horti- 



