96 Raising New Varieties of Fruit from Seed. 



years, and the numberless varieties of grapes of the highest quality, which 

 have supplanted the two or three sorts cultivated only a few years since. 

 Now, we cannot think we have, with all these improvements, reached the 

 limit of progress, if, indeed, there be a limit. The Clapp's Favorite is in 

 size and beauty undoubtedly superior to any other of its season ; but who 

 will give us a new variety equal to it in size and flavor and beauty, and still 

 earlier? 



The President Wilder Strawberry I do not hesitate to pronounce, after 

 three years' acquaintance with it, and a very careful examination of the 

 beds during the last two years, superior to any other strawberry ; but who 

 will give us another President Wilder as good as the first, and as early as 

 the Jenny Lind ? 



And so we might go on specifying the points in which improvement is 

 desirable ; and we cannot doubt that not only are all these destined to be 

 supplied, but that Nature has in store for us new fruits possessing charac- 

 teristics of excellence now undreamed of; and the new creations, as we may 

 call them, continually opened to our view, lend a fascination to this pursuit 

 beyond that of any other branch of cultivation. 



It is not necessary to have a large extent of ground in order to raise 

 new seedling varieties. Mr. Dana's pears were all gained in a small and 

 crowded garden ; and the fine raspberries and other fruits originated by 

 the late Dr. -Brinckle were grown in the still smaller limits of a city lot. 

 I have said nothing of the pecuniary rewards which await the originator of 

 a new fruit superior to any of its kind, for they are well understood ; but the 

 true lover of horticulture will find an ample recompense for all bis pains 

 in tracing out the different modifications and sports of his seedlings. One 

 thing should on no account be omitted, viz., a careful record of all the 

 seeds sown ; for it is by comparison of such data that we must, if we can- 

 not attain to a full knowledge of the laws which govern the production of 

 new varieties, at least gain some insight into them. 



