PART II. 

 PAPERS ON PHYSIOLOGICAL HORTICULTURE, 



READ BEFORE 



THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, IN THE YEARS 1806 TO 1838. 



REPRINTED FROM THE HORTICULTURAL TRANSACTIONS. 



XVI OBSERVATIONS ON THE MEANS OF PRODUCING NEW AND 



EARLY FRUITS. 



[Read before the HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, November 4.ih, 1806.] 



NATURE has given to man the means of acquiring those things which 

 constitute the comforts and luxuries of civilised life, though not the things 

 themselves ; it has placed the raw material within his reach ; but has 

 left the preparation and improvement of it to his own skill and industry. 

 Every plant and animal, adapted to his service, is made susceptible of 

 endless changes, and, as far as relates to his use, of almost endless 

 improvement. Variation is the constant attendant on cultivation, both 

 in the animal and vegetable world ; and in each the offspring are 

 constantly seen, in a greater or less degree, to inherit the character of 

 the parents from which they spring. 



No experienced gardener can be ignorant that every species of fruit 

 acquires its greatest state of perfection in some peculiar soils and 

 situations, and under some peculiar mode of culture : the selection of a 

 proper soil and situation must therefore be the first object of the 

 improver's pursuit ; and nothing should be neglected which can add to 

 the size, or improve the flavour of the fruit from which it is intended to 

 propagate. Due attention to these points will in almost all cases be 

 found to comprehend all that is necessary to insure the introduction of 

 new varieties of fruit, of equal merit with those from which they spring ; 

 but the improver, who has to adapt his productions to the cold and 

 unsteady climate of Britain, has still many difficulties to contend with ; 

 he has to combine hardiness, energy of character, and early maturity, 

 with the improvements of high cultivation. Nature has however in some 

 measure pointed out the path he is to pursue ; and, if it be followed 

 with patience and industry, no obstacles will be found, which may not be 

 either removed, or passed over. 



