246 AmeUoratiofi of our edible Fniifs, 



place (say the front of a late vinery), under the influence of the 

 solar rays, for a month or so, or till sowing time. 



Besides the chance of originating an improved race of fruit by 

 this treatment, I am firmly of opinion, that, if it is possible to 

 reproduce any given variety of fruit from seed, this system, or 

 some modification of it, will be found the most suitable for that 

 purpose, the necessary precautions being, of course, taken to 

 guard agasinst the introduction of foreign pollen. 



As a matter of speculative curiosity bearing on this subject, 

 it may be enquired how, or by what means, were the apple, the 

 pear, or, indeed, any of our edible fruits, first produced from 

 their ''^ savage parents?" Certainly not by cultivation, which 

 at once would refute the above hypothesis. Then it follows, as a 

 matter of course, that it must have been by some accidental or 

 natural cause. The following may be among the many causes 

 which will occur to the inquisitive mind. The savage parents, 

 sown, in the first instance, by the hand of nature, soon sprang 

 up in youthful vigour, in dense masses, each struggling for 

 the greatest share of that light and air which is so essential to 

 their well-being. The strongest soon overtopped their weaker 

 brethren, and found it no difficult task to keep them in subjec- 

 tion afterwards : yet the more resolute of the weaker party still 

 kept pushing up their aspiring heads among the main branches 

 of their oppressors, and with their united growth, aided by the 

 force of the passing breeze, began to make deep indentations on 

 them by rubbing. Hence, perhaps, the origin of ringing the 

 branches of fruit trees. In course of time, these main branches 

 may have become so much dilapidated, that the necessary cir- 

 culation of their juices was almost entirely impeded : but their 

 leaves, not willing to give up their assigned functions, still kept 

 pumping up the reserve juices within the sphere of their action. 

 The juice being now supplied to the leaves in a less quantity, 

 they elaborated it to a still higher degree than usual. The fruit 

 all this time had little to complain of, seeing that what nourish- 

 . ment it lost in quantity it gained in quality ; and the seed, after 

 partaking of the essence of this improved nourishment, brought 

 forth, in its turn, a new race of fruit trees, removed one degree in 

 improvement from their parents ; and thus a foundation was laid 

 for future improvements ; or, as Ovid most beautifully describes 

 it, — 



" Hanc Deus et rnelior litem Natura direrait." 



" But God or Nature, while they thus contend. 

 To their intestine discords put an end." 



Dryden's Trans. 



This improved race, acting after the example of its parents, in 

 the order of time, we may suppose, brought forth a progeny 

 still further improved ; and thus effect followed cause in rapid 



