ON VEGETATION. 285 



riety will be produced, differing from those from which it 

 drew its origin. Let us suppose, for instance, that there 

 were but two varieties of cabbages in nature, the one 

 spherical, the other spreading : by the intermixture of the 

 pollen of these two, a third variety would be produced ; 

 and by continuing the process between these three vari- 

 eties, ten, twenty, or thirty new ones would result. But 

 as these varieties bear seed capable of re-production, it 

 is, in fact, new races which are formed. 



In Belgium, the horticulturists, with the most patient 

 perseverance, produce, by this process, a great number of 

 new varieties of fruit trees, which they propagate by seed, 

 and thus give birth to new races ; but this is extremely 

 tedious, for it is many years before the fruit tree raised 

 from seed, is capable of bearing fruit. 



Emily. This period might be accelerated by grafting ; 

 but then that process would alter the nature of the new 

 variety of fruit. 



Mrs. B. Certainly ; the Dutch are celebrated for the 

 beauty, or rather the variety of color, of the tulips they 

 have thus introduced. These flowers change their color 

 during the first seven years, they afterwards never vary : 

 this renders a course of experiments, with a view to pro- 

 duce certain colors permanently, much more tedious, and, 

 consequently, more expensive than with most other plants; 

 and the Dutch horticulturists prosecuted their labors with 

 such enterprising zeal, and the passion for flowers was, 

 in that country, carried to such excess, that it was thought 

 requisite to enact a law, forbidding the sale of a tulip for 

 above the sum of four hundred pounds. 



Emily. Is it possible that any one would go to so great 

 an expense for a simple flower ! It is by these means, I 

 suppose, that many fruits and flowers have of late years 

 been so much improved. The great variety of beautiful 

 geraniums and gigantic strawberries are, doubtless, the 

 result of similar experiments ; but the flavor of the fruit 

 does not, I think, correspond with its size ; I even doubt 

 whether the bulk is not increased at the expense of the 

 flavor. 



Mrs. B. It will seem to be diminished to the palate, 



1537. How is this illustrated in the case of the cabbage! 1538. 

 What is done by horticulturists in Belgium! 1539. For what are 

 the Dutch celebrated! 1540. What have they accomplished with the 

 tulip! 1541. What does Emily think of these artificial means fox 

 improving fruits and flowers! 



