LECTURE 



Deu-v-ered by Hon. MARSHALL P. WILDER, 



Bejore the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, on Wednesday Evening, 

 February 7th, 1872. 



HYBEIDIZATION AND PEODUOTION 



OF NEW PLANTS FROM SEED. 



Some trees and plants are adapted to cultivation over a wide 

 extent of territory. Others are restricted to particular districts. 

 But, as a general rule, most of the products of the vegetable as 

 well as of the animal kingdom, flourish better in the latitude and 

 temperature where they originated than in any other sections of 

 the world. In our own favored land, with a clear sk}-, bright sun- 

 shine, and with a territory so varied in soil and climate, where 

 almost all the fruits of the habitable globe can be raised, and where 

 many surpass in excellence those of any other countr}', it becomes 

 a matter of gi*eat interest to originate varieties suited to the vari- 

 ous sections of our widelj^ extended domain. 



When we reflect upon the progress already made in the produc- 

 tion of varieties, we have every inducement to continue our exer- 

 tion in this most interesting branch of vegetable culture. For- 

 merly we looked to other countries ; now we rely more especially on 

 our own seedlings for our best results, and until within the last 

 quarter of a century our native fruits were the result of natural 

 impregnation, or that produced by the aid of wind and insects. 

 From this source have been derived most of the fine apples, pears, 

 peaches, grapes aud other fruits which are found in oiu' country. 

 These, however varied in local origin, thrive most perfectly in their 

 original localities. Hence we see the importance of originating 

 varieties which are adapted to our own particular region. I do 

 not, however, expect to promulgate any new theory in regard to 

 the mysterious process l)y which nature carries on her secret handi- 

 work, in the ro])roduction of the races of beings, or of plants, but 

 cheifly to give the results of my own observation and experience 



