348 TRAySACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



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morality and profit of all classes of mankind. A popular fallacy is 

 the belief that the originator of a valuable new ffuit can acquire a 

 fortune. FcTcts prove the contrary. Did the originator of the Con- 

 cord grape, the most widely cultivated variety in America, profit by 

 its production ? It is generally thought he did not. A certain well 

 known hybridist is reputed to be a man of very moderate means. I 

 know it is rmnored that a certain grape grower Imis acquired a 

 large fortune in the sales of a variety produced by him ; but I have 

 good authority for believing otherwise. Did the originator of the 

 Wilson strawbeny profit by it ? Certainl}' not. In fact I have yet 

 to learn of the originator of any fruit profiting largely by it. The 

 reason is the competition of other j^ropagators. For a new fruit, 

 however valuable, there is generally little demand, and the origina- 

 tor is obliged to rely on a demand for compensation. The cost of 

 introduction is borne by lum, while others oftentimes reap the profits, 

 on account of having better facilities for selling and propagating. 

 In any case the originator ,can only expect adequate compensation 

 dm'ing the first two or three years of dissemination before the public 

 can fairly test the variety, thus affording him no opportunity for 

 remuneration proportionate to its value or the popularity it may 

 afterward attain. The protection of the government is necessary to 

 correct these evils. All new fruits could be tested at Washington, 

 not merely to determine their value, for this oftentimes depends upon 

 soil, location, etc., but to prevent the dissemination of the same 

 variety under different names. Patents could be given for improved 

 varieties, but would require to be dififerent from that for a mechani- 

 cal device, as the latter would forjjid purchasers to propagate the 

 varieties on their own grounds for their OAvn use, without payment 

 therefor. Such a patent would hardly be desirable, as it might restrict 

 the sale of a new fruit, and would not generally be regarded. The 

 requisite patent would be one giving the originator of any fruit pro- 

 pagated by graft, cutting, or runner, the sole right of its propa- 

 gation for sale. It must be borne in mind that it is not the public 

 generally that deprive the latter of custom, but the nurserymen. Such 

 a patent would prevent them from so doing ; they could not adver- 

 tise the variety without purchasing the right to do so, and if they 

 attempted a nefarious business, they would constantly risk detection. 

 In case of anything propagated by seed or tuber, as the potato or 

 grains, for instance, evidently protection would not be available. The 

 offer of large premiums by the general government might, however, 



