METHODS OF OBTAINING NEW VARIETIES. 107 



traction, thus confirming the prediction made many years since, 

 that " our best fruits will be derived from our own seedlings." 



In regard to the best methods of obtaining new varieties 

 from seed, my views have often been expressed, viz. : to plant 

 the most mature and perfect seeds of the most hardy, vigorous 

 and valuable sorts ; and, as a shorter process, insuring more 

 certain and happy results, to cross or hybridize our best varieties. 



The process of amelioration by sowing the seeds of successive 

 generations, on the theory of Dr. Van Mons, if founded in 

 truth, is so long and tedious as scarcely to be worthy of trial. 

 But we cannot define the exact truth of the theory, for we can- 

 not estimate the disturbing influence of natural fertilization ; 

 and the impossibility of preventing this, where several varieties 

 exist in the same ground, is apparent to all scientific cultivators. 

 Under such circumstances, we could no more prevent an orchard 

 of pears of different sorts from fertilization by the air and in- 

 sects, than we could prevent a field of corn or a patch of melons, 

 of different sorts, from mixing by the same process. 



While most of our fruits have been produced by this process 

 of accidental crossing, the number of finer sorts has been com- 

 paratively few and far between. We would not, however, dis- 

 courage the planting of seeds of our best fruits, trusting to 

 natural fertilization ; but, to secure more rapid progress and 

 better results, we must rely on the more certain and expedi- 

 tious art of hybridization. By this means, we may, in a few 

 years, produce such novel and desirable combinations as ages 

 might not give us by accidental fertilization, or sowing seeds at 

 random. In employing this agency, we only imitate nature ; 

 for, though the artificial process is but of recent origin, natural 

 hybridization must have existed from the creation, and un- 

 doubtedly gave the first hint to man of the power within his 

 reach. Nor can we doubt that the knowledge of this process is 

 confided to man, by the Almighty Creator, that it may be de- 

 veloped to its utmost extent, or that, in pursuing it, we are 

 doing his will and working with him. Here " the master-mould 

 of Nature's heavenly hand " is placed within our own, so that 

 the judicious and skilful operator may raise new and fine varie- 

 ties of fruits with as much success as the farmer can produce 

 improved animals by the crossing of his favorite herds. 



