Royal Horticultural Society of Paris. 447 



"When this first generation produces its first crop, we should 

 gather the fruit before it is quite ripe, and allow it to mature in 

 the fruit-room. The seeds contained must be sown to produce 

 another race, to be treated like the last, and this successive re- 

 production must be continued during five, six, and seven genera- 

 tions. After that period has elapsed, we may confidently hope 

 to obtain new and delicious fruits which may then be preserved 

 by means of grafts, and may be still farther improved by succes- 

 sive sowings. 



Such succinctly is the theory of M. Van Mons: a protracted 

 method, as it demands the care and attention of the culturist dur- 

 ing thirty-five or forty years. But the society will not under- 

 take to pronounce an opinion upon its merits, especially after so 

 many successful results in the hands of its originator, without 

 having made experiments upon it. Reasoning from analogy, we 

 would be disposed to beheve that the seeds of fruits already amelio- 

 rated, ought to produce, in a short time, and with more certainty, 

 varieties of superior quality to those we now possess. But as 

 the society is aware that the operations of nature are often con- 

 trary to what appears in conformity with our reason, and as there 

 has been generally remarked a rapid and lamentable decay, or at 

 least deterioration of some varieties of fruit, formerly more cele- 

 brated, it appeals to the zeal and intelligence of horticulturists, 

 and urges them to undertake the experiments pointed out by M. 

 Van Mons, and, also, to carry on experiments with the seeds of 

 pears and apples, anciently ameliorated. The Society especial- 

 ly desires that experimenters should give their attention to those 

 varieties, the fruit of which comes to maturity latest in the season. 



The society flatters itself, that among the numerous practical 

 horticulturists, fortunately numbered in its members, an interest 

 will be excited to make a series of comparative experiments; 

 which will present results equally attracting and instructive. It 

 is desirable; 



That there be a diversity in the methods of sowing the seed, 

 and subsequent culture; 



That the experimentors should be prepared to verify all the 

 facts and observations elicited in the course of these experiments; 



That they should submit the varieties resulting from their ex- 

 periments to the influence of difl^erent kinds of grafting, and en- 

 deavor to ascertain the best stock for grafting upon; 



And that they make a full statement of their methods and the 

 results to the society. 



To forward these desirable objects the society ofiers a prize 

 of 1000 francs, to be awarded in 1847, to any one of the com- 

 petitors who shall present the best fruits, either of pears or ap- 

 ples, obtained from seed, which shall be found to be new and dis- 

 tinct varieties hitherto unknown; the whole to be accompanied 



