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One of ths principal results of culture is the formation of varieties, 

 which otherwise would have no existence in nature. Perhaps in some 

 instances these new varieties are more delicate than the wild species ; 

 but many of those produced by culture and hybridizing are of a more 

 hardy nature and may be introduced into localities where the original 

 species would not have succeeded. Nearly all farm crops produce in- 

 dividual plants that are earlier than others, while we cannot perceive any 

 difference in their organization or attribute the circumstance to the influ- 

 ence of culture. By carefully collecting the seeds or layers of such early 

 varieties there has been obtained such agricultural sorts as possess more 

 useful qualities. For example, by gathering the earliest ripe i)eas 

 and repeating the same many times in succession may furnish the 

 means for obtaining a variety which will invariably mature early. In 

 this way the season when our vegetables have been in their prime has 

 been extended ; garden corn, beans, squashes and various other kinds 

 are now available at almost any time in the year. 



Again, plants have been acclimated and naturalized so as to flour- 

 ish in localities other than whence they originated. The melon and 

 peach were almost tropical fruits, but they are now grown to perfection 

 in our own latitude ; the orange, strictly tropical, grows well in 

 Florida and the fruit is much larger and better than under the equa- 

 tor. Untiring eflx)rts of the husbandman have given to many plants 

 and vegetables a great extent of climate and latitude, while their pro- 

 ducts have been increased and improved. His care has made up for 

 want of climate and his cultivation has multiplied varieties. 



Nearly all of our farm crops hav€> traveled with man from Meso- 

 potamia far up the northern latitude, and potatoes, beans, turnips and 

 a thousand of others seem to disregard climate and grow wherever 

 man plants and cherishes them. In some instances drainage has pre- 

 pared the way for a better class of vegetables ; on the other hand ir- 

 rigation has made the barren plain productive. 



A judicious use of artificial fertilizers has caused the once sterile 

 field to yield abundant harvests. 



Every view that we can take of this subject goes to show that great 

 improvements have been made upon our farm crops, and enough has 

 been realized to encourage further efforts. 



Respectfully, 



L. P. WARNER. 



