Raising New Varieties of Fniit from Seed. 95 



RAISING NEW VARIETIES OF FRUIT FROM SEED. 



By Robert Manning, Salem, Mass. 



In the whole range of horticultural operations, there is nothing more in- 

 teresting, I think I may say so interesting, as the originating of new varie- 

 ties of fruit. To those who are familiar with it, there appears nothing 

 strange in the fact that the varieties of fruits, with few exceptions, do not, 

 like our common vegetables, reproduce themselves from seed ; but to the 

 beginner nothing is more surprising than to be told, that if he sows the 

 seed of apples, pears, strawberries, &c., each seed will produce a new va- 

 riety. Some indeed may so closely resemble their parent or parents (for 

 very likely, if not artificially hybridized, they will be accidentally) as to be 

 practically identical ; but the great majority, while bearing a family like- 

 ness to their progenitors, will yet exhibit such marked differences as to 

 constitute distinct varieties. In such a fruit as the strawberry, it would 

 seem at first thought almost impossible that there could be room for so 

 many varieties ; but the resources of Nature are inexhaustible, and some- 

 where in plant or fruit, in leaf or habit, in size, shape, color, flavor, hardi- 

 ness, or season of ripening, or in various combinations of these, we find 

 individuality asserted. 



Formerly it was believed, that, if we sowed the seeds of the best varieties 

 of fruit, they would return to the wild type ; but this error is now dispelled, 

 and it is found, that, of seedlings from the best varieties, a large number will 

 possess many valuable qualities, with some, perhaps, of superior excellence. 

 Such was the case in Mr. Dana's experiment, where seeds of the Seckel, 

 Bartlett, Beurre Diel, and others of the finest pears, produced that superla- 

 tive variety, the Dana's Hovey (probably from the Seckel), besides the 

 Excelsior, America, and other fine sorts. 



Without reviewing the steps by which our fruits have been gradually 

 ameliorated in the course of centuries, let us consider for a moment the 

 marvellous improvements which have been effected in our own day. Take, 

 for instance, the Hovey's Seedling Strawberry, which we may almost call an 

 infinite advance over any that preceded it. Consider the wonderful improve- 

 ment which has been effected in the potato, as if by magic, within a few 



