Protection for Fruit evolvers. 
From the "California Fruit Grower." 
" Civilized nations under certain conditions protect by letters-patent a person's 
invention, or by copyright, his thoughts, in the effort to secure to him or her a fair 
remuneration for what after a term of years becomes the free gift to the world of a new, 
and supposedly, valuable thing. Why should the originators of new fruit varieties be 
denied similar protection? Manifestly, there is no logical reason why the writer of a 
book, the composer of a song, the designer of a drawing or the originator of a mechanical 
device should be protected in their productions, while the originator of an improved 
flower or fruit is denied the same privilege. 
" To appreciate the great good that the fruit evolver has been to the world it is only 
necessary to remember that all the varieties of luscious plums with which mankind is 
to-day familiar, came without exception from one parent stock, the fruit of which was 
little, hard, flavorless, acrid and indigestible — if by any chance a specimen was introduced 
into the •stomach. So with the peach, its parent was not only a valueless thing, considered 
as a food, but it was in a degree actually poisonous. Fruit variety originators and horti- 
culturists, however, experimented with it through centuries, and the diminutive, ill-shaped, 
noxious thing has become at the touch of successive wizards, two valuable fruits — one, the 
magnificently formed, tinted and flavored peach as it is known in California, another, 
the meaty, delicate almond. 
" But the work is by no means at an end. Improved varieties are continually brought 
out. The effort keeps pace with man's development, and to the end of time the fruit 
variety originator or the fruit evolver will find plenty to do — if he is sufficiently encouraged. 
" Only a few people comprehend the marvelous patience, the rare skill, the close 
attention, the hard work and the cash outlay necessary to be a successful fruit variety 
originator. 
" Every improved form of fruit and every improved flower becomes in a short time 
the property of all alike. That is to say, the entire world is the gainer. Whether the 
first plant sells for one dollar or one million dollars the result in a few years is the same; 
the new variety is a gift to mankind." 
" The protection of originators would be protection of planters against frauds." — 
Jacob Moore, Athenea, N. Y. 
" The families of Burbank, Munson and Moore have as good a right to be millionaires 
as have those of Hostetter and Edison, and they would perhaps know as well how and 
be as willing, to do good with their means. I have a feeling of justice for those who 
have spent largely of time, thought and money for others, when they should have, but 
do not, get anything of consequence in return."- — H. E. VanDeman in Green's Fruit Grower. 
" Precisely the same power has the originator over his new fruit, it is in his power 
to destroy or disseminate it. If he consents to the latter course he should be given such 
exclusive rights therein as will enable him to obtain compensation." — Jacob Moore. 
" One reason why Mr. Burbank is not better known to the general public is the fact 
that his name is associated with very few of his horticultural ' creations.' When he devel- 
ops a valuable fruit or flower he sells it outright to some nurseryman, who gives it what 
name he pleases — very likely his own. We recall but two ' creations ' which bear his 
name. We all know the 'Burbank potato;' most of us eat them every day. Luther 
Burbank invented it. Most of us know the ' Burbank plum,' which is also his. Beyond 
that we only know that the choicest flowers and fruits that delight our senses were 
developed by his painstaking care." — San Francisco Chronicle. 
" The work of plant breeding seems to be the most important, as well as the most 
promising of results that it is possible for any man to enter upon at this time and I am 
greatly pleased to see that you have pursued the work to the extent of earning the right 
to announce your results as ' new creations."— Editor of Kansas Farmer. 
