FLORA OF MICHIGAN. 45 



not so large as they now are. But instead of peaches and figs we should 

 be discussing manifold and most luscious varieties of persimmon and 

 papaw, the former probably equal to the kaki just acquired from the far 

 east. As to strawberries, gooseberries, and currants, we should have lost 

 nothing and gained something, as we possess several species besides the 

 European types themselves; as to blackberries and raspberries we should 

 have been better off than now, by the earlier development and diversifica- 

 tion of our indigenous species. And we might have had all of our finest 

 strawberries a thousand or^ more years ago, these having come from our 

 American types, Fragaria Virginiana with its varieties (which as well 

 as the old world, F. vesca, occurs all across the continent), and F. Chilensis, 

 which ascends the Pacific coast to Oregon." 



Had civilization had its birthplace in America, Dr. Gray believes "our 

 ground-nut (Apios tuber osa} would have been the first developed esculent 

 tuber, and would probably have held its place in the first rank along with 

 potatoes and sweet potatoes of later acquisition. 



"Among the causes and circumstances which have given to the fruits of 

 temperate climates of the old world their pre-eminence, opportunity is 

 one. How many potential fruits of value lie undeveloped in this country 

 we know not, and shall never know. They have lost their opportunity. 

 Necessity, which is the mother of pomology as well as of other inventions, 

 has been fully supplied out of other accessible, and in some cases, no 

 doubt originally, better materials. 



" There are some, however, for which evidently ' a good time is coming.' 

 Of these, our wild grapes are foremost. They have such a start already, 

 and seedlings, whether from crosses or otherwise, can be produced and 

 selected and reproduced in so short a space of time, that they will probably 

 have achieved their position when the American Pomological Society 

 holds its centennial celebration. 



"Blackberries from Rubus villosus, are in a similar case; and if due 

 attention be paid to the low blackberry or dewberry, and to the sand 

 blackberry of New Jersey and farther south, the foundation for a greater 

 diversity of excellent sorts will be laid. 



"As to cranberries, already an important staple, increase of size and 

 abundance of production are all that are to be expected. It is easier to 

 bring about improvements in the direction of sweetness than in that of 

 acidity. Huckleberries, also, have probably nearly reached their perfection 

 unassisted. 



" A few wild fruits may be mentioned which manifestly have great capa- 

 bilities, that may or may not be developed in the future. The leading 

 instances in my mind are the persimmon and the papaw. The papaw is 

 wholly distinct from any other fruits we possess of temperate climates. 

 The custard apples of the West Indies give some idea of what might be 

 made of our papaw, when ameliorated by cultivation and close selection 

 from several generations. 



" Our American plums, already mentioned, have for many years been in 

 some sort of cultivation, and have improved upon the wild forms; but I 

 suppose they have not been systematically attended to. Their extreme 

 liability to black knot and other attacks renders them, for the present, 

 unpromising. 



" Finally, if pomology includes nuts, there is a promising field uncul- 

 tivated. Our wild chestnuts are sweeter than those of the old world; it 

 would be well to try whether races might not be developed with the nuts 



