The Canadian Horticulturist. 287 



the man, who perhaps spent years in its production by means of hybridi- 

 zation, or by careful selection of seedlings, and thus has conferred a lasting 

 benefit upon the public, should himself go unrewarded. Sometimes, it is true, 

 as in the case of the Niagara Grape Co., a corporation who has plenty of 

 money under its control is able to control the stock as to make a fortune 

 out of it, but more often it occurs that the person, who is the originator of a 

 new and valuable variety of fruit, goes almost entirely unrewarded for 

 his labors, while others reap unmerited good fortune. For instance, the 

 originator of the Worden grape, a grape which is valued as one of 

 the best for the commercial vineyardist to plant, is said to be now a poor 

 man, having received nothing to speak of from the sale of the grape which 

 bears his name. Of course, if the originator is also a nurseryman, he will 

 find means to make the most of his introduction. But suppose an ordinary 

 fruit grower or farmer throughout our country should succeed in this direc- 

 tion, what reward has he ? He will attempt the sale of it to some nursery- 

 man who, naturally enough, will disparage its merits and make the purchase 

 at the very lowest price. 



Now, there has lately been a scheme introduced by a joint committee of 

 the California State Horticultural Society and the California State Floral 

 Society, which contemplates the submission of a bill to Congress embody- 

 ing a system tor the National Registration, also a second bill providing for 

 the exclusive propagation and sale rights for a limited time to originators. 



The National Plant Register would be a very elaborate, but at the same 

 time a very interesting affair. It would contain: ist, the number; 2nd, 

 the official name ; 3rd, the popular and local names or synonyms ; 4th, 

 description ; 5th, short history and a statement of the peculiarities and 

 habits of the plant ; and 6th, in many cases, if not always, a photograph, 

 drawing, or series of photographs or drawings, of the plant, fruit or flower. 



Originators of new varieties of plants who do not wish to secure ex- 

 clusive sale rights would have the right to offer them for registration with 

 the proposed name, and if the}^ are accepted, the originator would be entitled 

 to a certificate, securing to him the honor or prestige to which he is entitled. 



If, on the other hand, he desires to have sale rights for a certain term of 

 years, these would be granted him upon the payment of a certain sum. 



Of course, this proposed scheme would involve a great number of diffi- 

 culties, such as, for instance, the difficulty of carefully distinguishing new 

 from old varieties, owing to the varying characteristics of any particular 

 variety, according to the locality in which it is grown. Many of the 

 obstacles, however, can be overcome in a greater or less degree, and it 

 seems to us very desirable that an attempt should be made to carry out 

 this scheme in Canada, or some modification of it. The subject is worthy 

 of discussion at our meetings, and, if feasible, should be presented by a 

 committee, appointed by the Dominion Horticultural Society, for the con- 

 sideration of the Dominion Parliament. 



