THE TWENTIETH CENTURY LISnTED ON THE LAKE SHORE AND MICHIGAN SOdTHEBN R. R. 
Mr. C. M. Hovey, a pioneer horticulturist, with a shrewdness that was most remarkable in the 
breeding o( plants as early as 1834 selected parent plants representing distinct Ideals adapted to Ameri- 
can conditions; at that time a Journey across the continent required more than a half year, with its attend- 
ant privations and hardships. 
In this year of 1905 one can step aboard a palatial train In Boston, New York,' or Phlladelhla, and 
in a little more than four days stand on the shores of the Pacific, having enjoyed during the trip all the 
luxuries and conveniences of home. The active horticulturist has likewise kept fully abreast with the 
civil and mechanical engineer in the onward progress of the world. 
Until the middle of the sixteenth century 
the masses believed the earth to be the center 
of the planetary system and around it revolved 
the sun and other planets. A century later, the 
astronomer, Galileo, with the aid of the tele- 
scope, demonstrated beyond a doubt the truth 
concerning the solar system; that is, that the 
earth and other planets move with precision 
around the sun. 
But the facts of astronomical science as set 
forth by Galileo were contrary to the beliefs 
and traditions of the wise men of the time, 
and through the intrigues of the latter, the 
truth seeking astronomer was summoned be- 
fore the Inquisition at Rome to answer to 
charges rnade against him, namely, that of 
setting aside these beliefs and traditions and 
replacing them with facts experimentally 
demonstrated. 
The scientist was tried and condemned; but 
it was as true then as now that "Truth crushed 
to earth shall rise again," for observing men 
took up the work which Galileo had begun and 
today the fact that the world moves is un- 
questioned. 
Within the last decade in the states of Min- 
nesota and the Dakotas the yield of wheat has 
been increased over twelve per cent, per acre 
by scientifically selecting and breeding seed 
wheat, thus adding millions of bushels to the 
annual crop; and even more has been accom- 
plished by the same means in the past few 
years in the increased yield of corn in Illinois, 
Iowa, Kansas and adjoining states. 
The American Beauty Rose is a creation of 
the plant breeder, for nature gave to him only 
the wild rose of the wayside, and the magnifi- 
cent Beauty of garden and conservatory is the 
result of his art. 
Within the recollection of the pioneer gar- 
dener of today there was cultivated the "lovt 
apple" which was small and seedy and not con- 
sidered edible; from this vegetable which was 
grown merely as a curiosity, has been de- 
veloped the fleshy, palatable tomato, the use 
of which on the (able is nearly universal. 
The Chilian wild strawberry, the ancestor 
of the large, luscious garden and field berry 
now grown, was an inferior fruit, but in the 
hands of the plant breeder has been brought 
to its present almost perfect condition. 
Since the improvement and development 
both in quality and quantity of grains, flowers, 
vegetables, and fruits are everywhere so mark- 
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