86 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICDLTUUAL SOCIETr. 



turn will hist a given time and produce good crops. Within my 

 own experience, 1 have grown the Black Rusty Coat, Long Red, 

 Chenango, Rohan, Peach Blow, Carter, Jackson White, Dover, 

 Davis's Seedling, Kidney, State of Maine, Early Rose, and He- 

 bron ; and several other sorts — but only two of all these are now 

 cultivated. 



To attempt the inquiry into the growth, longevity, and decay of 

 the fruits and vegetables we cultivate — tc> seek to learn the 

 natural principles involved in the growth of each species, and the 

 .laws and principles of decay belonging to each, is particularly 

 difficult where each seems to be governed by different and intricate 

 forces, pertaining to its peculiar organism. Nature, with man's 

 assistance, has produced fruits and vegetables in wonderful vari- 

 ety and profusion and of the highest excellence, and is still press- 

 ing onward ; every season brings some new success in the line of 

 fruit or vegetable raising, and notwithstanding there is so much 

 mystery clouding the whole subject — so much that we should 

 know but do not — so much guesswork, instead of positive infor- 

 mation, and so much that seems impossible for the mind to under- 

 stand peculiar to each plant — nevertheless it appears worth our 

 while to discuss these questions, with the hope of new and in- 

 creasing lighi pertaining to the philosophy and science of horti- 

 cultural and pomological pursuits. There can be no end to 

 horticultural investigations ; and few if an}- conclusions in this 

 hidden science can be considered final ; and the subject we have 

 been discussing still affords a wide field for inquiry. 



The conclusions which I have been led to regard as provision- 

 ally established ma}' be summarized as follows : 



First. Each fruit-bearing tree and plant seems inherently en- 

 dowed with a certain given period of life ; this, however, is subject 

 to be influenced by favorable and unfavorable conditions. 



Second. Each species and variety of fruit-bearing tree and 

 plant seems governed by conditions pertaining exclusively to its 

 growth, maturity, and deca3\ 



Third. Some fruits appear to degenerate, while others furnish 

 but little evidence of deterioration ; and the latter statement applies 

 equally to vegetables, as a class, during this century. 



Fourth. While there undoubtedly is a limit to ihe life of every 

 plant and fruit, neither science nor philosophy has j'et determined 

 the data by which we can deduce with any degree of accuracy the 

 duration of life of any of the larger fruits or vegetables. 



