472 FRUIT. 



western phrase, " climb higher and dive deeper," than any man out 

 of America. 



We are not going to be led into a physiological digression on 

 the subject of the inextinguishable rights of a superior organization 

 in certain men and races of men, which nature every day reaffirms, 

 notwithstanding the socialistic and democratic theories of our poli- 

 ticians. But we will undertake to say, that if the races or plants 

 were as much improved as they might be, and as much adapted to 

 the .various soils and climates of the Union, as they ought to be, 

 there is not a single square mile in the United States, that might 

 not boast its peaches, melons, apples, grapes, and all the other luxu- 

 ries of the garden now confined to a comparatively limited range. 



And this is not only the most interesting of all fields for the 

 lover of the country and the garden, but it is that one precisely 

 ready to be put in operation at this season. The month of April is 

 the blossoming season over a large part of the country, and the blos- 

 som governs and fixes the character of the new race, by giving a 

 character to the seed. Let those who are not already familiar with 

 hybridizing and cross-breeding of plants always effected when thev 

 are in bloom read the chapter on this subject in our " Fruit Trees," 

 or any other work which treats of this subject. Let them ascertain 

 what are the desiderata for their soil and climate, which have not 

 yet been supplied, and set about giving that character to the new 

 seedlings, which a careful selection from the materials at hand, and 

 a few moments light and pleasant occupation will afford. If the 

 man who only made two blades of grass grow where one grew be- 

 fore, has been pronounced a benefactor to mankind, certainly he is 

 far more so who originates a new variety of grain, vegetable, or 

 fruit, adapted to a soil and climate where it before refused to grow 

 since thousands may continue to reap the benefit of the labors of 

 the latter for an indefinite length of time, while the former has only 

 the merit of being a good farmer for the time being. 



