THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 61 



There is a question, too, that one may easily ask, that is not so 

 easily answered. Wliat quality or peculiarity of constitution is 

 possessed by this plant that it can adapt itself to all soils and climates, 

 and be equally valuable and productive in Nova Scotia and in Florida, 

 in Connecticut and in California ? 



What, too, shall we say of the skill of our hybridists ? Although 

 Mr. Wilson was always confident that his " Albany " was produced by 

 a cross between Black Prince and Hovey's Seedling, yet w^e believe 

 he never pretended that he had artificially impregnated the one with 

 the other, but that it was one of those chance cross-fertilizations which 

 may happen under favoring circumstances. That it was certainly a 

 cross between these two sorts cannot be affirmed. But what have the 

 labors of our hybridists, who have taken the strawberry in hand, as 

 yet accomplished 1 Where is the berry that has been the production 

 of their skill, wdiich has achieved anything approaching to such 

 success ? IVIany indeed have been the champions on the strawberry field 

 who have came out in full panoply to ran a tilt against this stripling, 

 friendless and unarmed ; but the smooth pebble from the brook has 

 silently done its work ; not even was the dull thud heard as it sunk 

 into the brain ; and when the champion fell, there was no crash nor jar, 

 for he who came forth with such giant claims, shrunk, as he fell, to 

 his true proportions. 



There is a lesson, too, for "committees on new fruits. " McAvoy's 

 Superior, to which was awarded the prize of one hundred dollars in 

 1851, in twenty years had disap])eared entirely from the list of the 

 American Pomological Society, while the Wilson's Albany, which first 

 found a place on that list in 1858, has spread itself during these twenty 

 years yet farther and wader, and stands to-day tlie acknowledged chief- 

 tain, despite the cold shoulderof fruit committees and critics. That which 

 is really valuable, which possesses in any large degree the quality of 

 usefulness, will find its own way into public appreciation ; nay, will be 

 sought out, and brought into notice without the help of committees, 

 while that which fails in these qualities will go into forgetfulness, the 

 silver cup, medal or prize serving only the purpose of a tombstone. 



And last, we take issue with those who say that Wilson's Albany 

 is of poor quality. To our taste it is richer by far than Triomph de 

 (laud or Jucunda. A false impression has gone out by reason of 



