448 Programme of a Prize, ^c. 



with a memoire and the necessary proofs and authentications, 

 containing details of the cuhure bestowed upon the trees, the 

 origin of the seeds taken from wild stocks or improved varieties, 

 stating distinctly the result of every variety; the various accidents 

 experienced during their growth; the methods employed to force 

 the seedlings to a speedy production of fruit — such as annular or 

 semi-annular incisions, twisting the branches, grafting of all kinds, 

 or any other means already known, or of their invention: and, 

 finally, the number of generations that have served to ameliorate 

 the fruit, and the nature of the soil upon which the trees have 

 been cultivated. These documents and specimens of the fruits 

 must be forwarded to the society free of expense, in the course 

 of the year 1846. The competitors must inform the society of 

 their intention to compete for the prize, at the latest, on the 1st 

 of June, 1846, in order that the trees and fruits may be acknowl- 

 edged before the end of the same year. 



The specimens of fruit should be accompanied with branches 

 suitable for grafts of each, submitted to the examination of the 

 society, in order that they may receive a place in their coUec- 



Rendu, Reporter. 



JSi'^ote by the translator. — "We have placed the above article 

 before the readers of this Magazine, both as a specimen of the 

 zeal which actuates foreign horticultural societies, and as ex- 

 hibiting to readers, not already familiar with the subject, a con- 

 densed view of the theory, for the production of new fruits, of 

 the justly celebrated Professor, Van Mons, of Belgium. To 

 the successful practical results of this theory, numbers, as well 

 as ourselves, in this country, who are in possession of the deli- 

 cious new pears originated by him, can bear testimony to the 

 indefatigable perseverance of M. Van Mons, now in a venerable 

 old age, during the whole of his lifetime, for a great number of 

 most excellent and valuable fruits. But we will take it upon us 

 to say, that, in the United States, where, perhaps, more than in 

 any other country, fruit trees are propagated indiscriminately 

 from the seed — no little surprise will be excited in the minds of 

 those who become acquainted with this theory, at its tediousness, 

 and the great length of time necessary to arrive at the desired 

 results. Is it not true that here a preference is always shown, 

 in raising seedlings, for seeds gathered from the finest grafted 

 varieties.'' And is it not equally true, that, among seedlings 

 reared in this manner (with of course a great many inferior 

 fruits), there have been originated directly a great many fine and 

 superior varieties? The Seckel pear, it is believed, sprang from 

 a seed of the old Roussellette: the Washington, and many fine 

 varieties of the gage plums, have probably been reared at once 

 from seeds gathered from grafted trees. It is possible, and even 



