i8 



particularly, it seems almost impossible in certain cases to know which are original species and 

 which are only sports from them, obtained perhaps thousands of years ago. 



It seems the same with the second group of these, as with many of our domesticated animals, 

 which have been used by man for such a number of years, we can never know what they descended 

 from, some of them being unknown in a truly wild or original state at the present time. It 

 seems wonderful that it should ever have been in man's power to improve (I must call it) wild 

 fruits into their present state such as pears, peaches, grapes, and other kinds which appear so 

 much altered that it is difficult to trace their originality. Perhaps there is hardly any 

 limit to the improvements which may be yet made in some of these kinds ; but when we 

 come to wheat, for instance, there appears a limit to what can be done with it; the seed 

 seems to have been as nearly as possible the same size for thousands of years ; but from what 

 was it originally produced? 



If and when we think of such matters, how grateful we ought to be to the Creator for 

 having originally created such substances, animal as well as vegetable, which were suitable for 

 man's subsistence as food, more particularly for having directed his attention, at various times 

 and in various ways, to the manner by which with his care and attention many of them could 

 be improved, not for his sustenance only, but in order to add to his enjoyment of life. I will 

 only allude to our native strawberry, now, by man's care and attention in its improved con- 

 dition, one of the most useful and delicious fruits, which is almost universally liked by every 

 one, from the prince to the peasant, and within the reach of all, from its abundance and 

 the small amount of care required for its cultivation. 



