44 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



His theory of improvement by reproduction has been approved 

 in this country, and the late Mr. Andrew J. Downing said that his 

 own experience led him to believe, that by following Van Mens' 

 process, fine fruit would be obtained in one or two generations. 



Obtaining new varieties by cross-breeding is a favorite method 

 with pomologists. It is understood, however, that this can be 

 successful only with species that are nearly allied. The course to 

 be pursued is detailed in the fruit books. 



Experiments*in cross-breeding and reproduction are not yet ex- 

 hausted. From many that will occur to the pomologist favorable 

 results will be obtained. Some years ago, Mr. Walker, a success- 

 ful Massachusetts horticulturist, suggested that our fine American 

 pears are from accidental seedlings — sometimes the results of a 

 new soil and climate on the seedlings of an old variety, and some- 

 times the result of a cross betwixt two good varieties near to each 

 other, and he proposed this experiment in order to obtain seed for 

 the best summer, autumn and winter pears. Select two trees from 

 each of three of the best varieties — the trees of each of these 

 selections to be gvowji side by side, and the- selections at least a 

 quarter of a mile apart. For a new summer pear, he thought the 

 Bloodgood and Williams' Bonchretien would be one good selec- 

 tion ; for an autumn pear, the Seckel and Louise Bonne de Jersey, 

 and for a winter pear, the Dix and Buerre d'Aremberg. The 

 blossoms from the two trees standing side by side would fertilize 

 each other, and the seed from the fruit would produce many seed- 

 lings from which the desired fruit would be obtained. 



We have evidence vpith us, that Mr. Walker's suggestion that 

 the accidental production of some of our best fruits is correct. 

 The Eastern Belle pear, which was awarded a premium for its ex- 

 cellence by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society ; the Indian 

 Queen, another valuable pear; the McLaughlin and Penobscot 

 plums, were all raised from chance seedlings and introduced by 

 Mr. McLaughlin of Bangor, within a few years past. 



The Goodale pear, introduced by Mr. Goodale in this State, the 

 Dana Hovey and several other varieties of the pear, introduced by 

 Mr. Dana of Massachusetts, it is said, are of similar origin. 



The Baldwin apple was from a chance seedling discovered by 

 Col. Loammi Baldwin, in Wilmington, Mass., when clearing a 

 wood-lot. The tree was somewhat young and thrifty, but appar- 

 ently in a dying state from the body having been quite thoroughly 

 perforated by woodpeckers. He did not disturb it, and it lived 



