1895.] ESSAYS. 21 



the march of progress has been rapid, and success is in proper ratio 

 to the care the orchard receives. 



I have, for some years, given more especial attention to the grow- 

 ing of apples than to other fruits. 



In the autumn of 1843 I planted the apple-seeds from which the 

 trees in my orchard of twenty acres are planted, budded the trees, and 

 planted them, and have watched their progress of growth and bearing 

 ever since. The trees are now at maturity and bear full crops, and 

 I have received a vast amount of pleasure and a reasonable amount 

 of profit from my husbandry. 



When we look back upon the past century and notice the vast 

 changes in pomological pursuits that have taken place ; the rapid pro- 

 gress made in all its phases ; the general diffusion of knowledge of 

 fruit growing ; the vast increase of gardens, vineyards and orchards 

 within every State and Territory, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, 

 unequalled in extent of acres, of capital invested, in any country in 

 the world ; the great variety in all classes grown ; the general and rapid 

 dissemination of valuable fruits, either old or new; and in looking at 

 past and present progress, and draw upon the imagination to estimate 

 future advancements, now that the principles that bring out, by cross- 

 impregnation, new sorts so rapidly, and will continue in all time, — we 

 feel we cannot correctly estimate the future ; we know not where our 

 successors will stand, or the perfection their knowledge, their culture 

 in fruits will attain a hundred years hence. But if we may judge by 

 the past, we can feel encouraged that the science of pomology will be 

 upward and onward ; new discoveries are sure to be made, new prin- 

 ciples of cultivation will be brought out, and we cannot even conceive 

 to what perfection in pomology our successors will achieve and 

 develop. 



But marvellous as the progress of the next century may be ; how- 

 ever great may be the advancement ; how much it may add to the 

 beauty and charm of rural life, and men will repose amid the bloom 

 and fruitage of the orchard and vineyard, — we may at least congratu- 

 late those- of the present century who by their labors and zeal have 

 contributed to this heritage, and given the advantage of the clear and 

 steady light which will illume the future toward pomological per- 

 fection. 



It has been my privilege to have personally known, and to have 



been associated with, some of the noted men who have been leaders of 



pomological interests for nearly a half-century ; some of them have 



been instrumental in raising from seed, and introducing some of the 



3 



