124 



7/<(3 Grape Culturist. 



a. v., Lawrence, Kansas.— Yon ask 

 our opinion about the measure now be- 

 fore Congress entitled ''The protection 

 of new fruits," and ask whether it has 

 any chance of success. We have not 

 •riven the subject very close attention, 

 but think, upon the whole, it would work 

 beneficial to the originator of a new 

 fruit as well as to the public. Many a 

 poor man grows a valuable fruit, but 

 has not the means for its speedy and 

 profitable propagation. Under the pres- 

 ent non-protective system, he is com- 

 pelled to sell out to some ricli nursery 

 man, who propagates it "■ ad infinitum," 

 and sells it to the public at enormous 

 prices. Could the originator be pro- 

 tected by a patent, to be issued at low 

 figures, he could sell the right again to 

 others in different sections of the coun- 

 try, and those who bought the right of 

 propagation, at a moderate sum, would 

 sell cheaper to their customers than jiew 

 fruits can now be obtained when one 

 man holds them, propagates them heav- 

 ily, and, when he has an immense stock, 

 sells at extravagant prices. We con- 

 fess that objections may be brought 

 against this, but we think they can be 

 urged as strongly, and with as much 



justice, against any other patent rigt 

 We do not know what its chances 

 success may be before the present Co 

 gress, but we think the tillers of tl 

 soil, the originators of new fruits, ha 

 as much of a right to reap the benefi 

 of their discoveries and labors as t 

 mechanic has for the results of 1 

 skill ; and that Congress may be i 

 duced to sec the matter in the sai 

 light. 



AVill any one of our readers give 

 his views upon this subject? We sh 

 be glad to have it discussed in our c 

 nmns. 



G. S., Louisiana, Mo. — We cov 

 not publish your article, because it cc 

 tained too man}' personalities. If y 

 will "argue the point" without the 

 we shall be pleased to hear from y« 

 and publish what you have to say 

 the subject, but we are determined 

 keep personalities out of our journ 

 A man may honestly difler with us 

 opinion upon certain points, and 

 can argue that point in a friendly m 

 ner, without impugning his motiv 

 The public and we will fare better, s 

 learn more from such controversies tl 

 1ivom personal attacks. 



NN'c iiad the pleasure of a call from 

 Mr. A. J. Cay wood, of Pou^likeepsie, 

 New York, the originator of the Walter 

 grape. Mr. Caywood is evidently an 

 ardent and sincere grape culturist of 

 Jong experience. He is confident that 

 ihc Walter possesses superior quali- 



ties over any of the grapes now cu 

 vated, and all he asks is that it sho 

 be fairly tried all over the Union, i 

 the results made known. We si 

 give it a fair trial at BhifFton, uu 

 our own supervision, and will in ' 

 time report progress. 



