stance, the Red A&trucban apple and Bartlett 
] pear seem to prosper everywhere. When we 
reflect on the wide expanse of territory daily 
becoming susceptible of cultivation, and that 
our fruits must ultimately be spread over these 
vast tii-Ms, lr becomes a matter of great Import¬ 
ance to inonense our native fruits, some Of which 
may be suited n> these regions and thus replace 
those wiiich may decline. We therefore give a 
hourly welcome to the efforts of all who are 
laboring in this praiseworthy cause. 
Benefactors ol' Mankind. 
We rejoice t hat we enroll among our members 
so many who are engaged m the benevolent en- 
ter prise of producing new varieties of fruits. 
I Especially would wo recognize the eminent Ser¬ 
vices of those associates who are devoting tbeir 
lives to the study "i vegetable physiology and 
of the insect tribes, and on whose pullout In* 
vestigut ion we so much depend for the discovery 
ami cure of diseases, and the destruction of 
insects injurious to our fruits. Nor can we too 
highly appreciate I lie. lives and services Of those 
pioneers in pomology, by whim.- intelligence and 
zcul most ol our line fruits have beeo originated 
or disseminated,— of Van Mens and E-perl n of 
Belgium, ol OntiiMiinl and Pultenu of Franco, 
Of Knight and Lmilley of England, of Cox, 
Prince, Dearborn, Lowell, Manning and Down¬ 
ing of the United States, and ol Olliers now 
living, whose praise is in the mouths of ail. 
What millions have rejoiced iu the fruitage of 
the Summer Bou Chretien and Autumn Berga¬ 
mot pear, coeval iu history with the ltoinan 
Empire: the Newtown Pippin and Baldwin 
apple, the Doyenne and Bartlett pear, the Isa¬ 
bella, Catawba, Concord and Hcnppt ruong grape 
iu our own time! 
Who call estimate the importance and value 
of a new variety of fruit, which shall be adapt¬ 
ed lo the wide range of our rapidly extending 
Cultivation? lie who shall originate a now apple, 
pear or grape, which shall be worthy of being 
banded down to posterity, should be held iu re¬ 
membrance as a benefactor of mankind, wt well 
as a Franklin, Fulton, Morse or Field. He who 
shall discover a remedy for t he pear-blight and 
Other diseases incident tuvogctution. winch now 
affect our trees, or an easy method for the de¬ 
struction ol' the horde of Insects so alarmingly 
injurious to our fruit crops, shall have his name 
transmitted to future time as second only to 
those who discover methods lor the alleviation 
and cure of diseases which affect the bumun 
system. What greater temporal comforts can 
we leave to our heirs than tint fruits of the 
orchard and garden! What more valuable testi¬ 
monials of a philanthropic life than the trees 
wc plant lor future generations! Trees arc the 
best landmark:, of a noble civilization. Trees 
are a rich legacy to our heirs Trees are 
living monuments to our memories. Fruits 
are perpetual mementoes to our praise. The 
man who plants a l'rult tree is a benefactor of 
his race; ami when wo shall have gone to our 
rest, when the fragrance of vernal bloom shall 
no longer delight the .senses, when the verdure 
of leafy summer shall no longer inspire the 
soul, when the golden harvest of mellow au¬ 
tumn shall no longer gladden the sight, the tree 
shall live to bless these who shall follow ns, 
Audwhen, in after ages, posterity shall recline 
under the Shade of the trees planted by our 
hands, and gather from tbeir bending brunches 
the luscious fruit, will not some grateful heart 
remember llio giver, and ask “ tV/u) planted Unit 
old apple lice r' How beautifully is this senti¬ 
ment portrayed by our owu poet Bryaut: 
'• What, plant we Jn this apple t ree ? 
Svveet» for a hundred flowery springs, 
To loud tin: May wind’s restless wings. 
When, from the orchard row, he pours 
Its fragrance through our open doors.” 
“ Wlnit plant we in this apple tree? 
Fruit* ttiut shall swell In sunny June, 
And redden In the August noon. 
And drop, when gentle ulr* eoiuu by; 
That fan the blue September sky. 
While children come, will) cries of glee, 
Ana seek them where the Ougrant grass 
Betrays their bed to those who pass, 
.At tile toot of the apple tree.” 
And when the thousand* who have enjoyed its 
fruit* and shared Ha blessings arc buried, like Its 
own roots, deep In t he bosom of mother earth,— 
'* The children of some distant, day, 
Thus to some aged man shall say : 
' Who planted tld* old ajij/U tree V ” 
I’rogrcnM of l*o mo logy. 
I have, on n former occasion, alluded to the 
wonderful progress of pomology In our day, anil 
1 deem it proper, alt hough at the risk of repeat¬ 
ing previous statements, Lo erect, as it wore, 
some landmarks by which we and those who 
emuo after us can measure its advancement. 
With all Ihn boasted civilization of Greece and 
Borne, wc are far in advance of their highest 
standard, in ail that tends to the real comfort of 
life und the elevation of our race. The science 
ol pomology forms no exception to this remark: 
indeed, the Improvement since the time of Pliny 
tmd Columella is infinite. From the fall of the 
Human Empire to the close oT the Seventeenth 
Century, it is true, we know but little of its pro¬ 
gress; for this, like all other arts and sciences, 
was hidden by i he darkness which enveloped the 
ages during so large a part ol these years. Ho¬ 
mology, like other refined pursuits, found an 
asylum m the only sanctuary then known for 
the arts ot peace- the monastery. In tliew quiet 
retreats were cultiv ated and perfected the best 
varieties of fruits; and doubtless some which 
they have transmitted to ua haVo been produced 
from need under their patient cure and nurture. 
Although the records of pomology during these 
years are but few, st ill wo may glean some idea 
of Hie manner iu which the art was preserved, 
from incidental notices, from the old trees still 
found growing amidst the remains of these in¬ 
stitutions, and from the new and tine varieties 
whose origin is traced to them,and whose names 
they often bear. Nor do we doubt that the 
grape, now exciting so much attention, received 
especial care, not only for the rich clusters which 
crowned the dessert, tail also for the ‘‘wine 
winch rnakoth glad the heart of man.” 
But how meager the list of good fruits which 
have been huiKled down from them, when com¬ 
pared with those of later times! If any of the 
pears of Itoman origin yet remain, they are only 
to be found among the cooking varieties, or else 
they are so dry, coarse, and interior us to mm it 
a place only iu tlie pages of the writers of two 
centuries ago. Now we have collections consist¬ 
ing of ten to fifteen hundred mi riuties. among 
which are many embracing tit the highest degree 
all the chiiraeterlstlca of size, beauty, tiuvor, and 
form which constitute a perfect fruit; ana in¬ 
stead of fruits eoullncd to a short period ot use, 
tlie art of the cultivator has extended the season 
Of maturity over thvgreutcr portion of the year. 
Think wliat Gov. Eudicott of Salem, or Gov. 
Stuyvesant of New York, would have said if 
they hud been told that their example in the 
of mmil with mind, and the information ac¬ 
quired by the free interchange of experience, 
is far more valuable than the same amount of 
knowledg l< rived lroin bonks. It i- tin- cen¬ 
tralization of action which has produced the 
wonderful progress of ourage; but hi n national 
society which embraces the whole country for 
its domain, we have the additional motive of 
I patriotism, U> bring us to our biennial meetings, 
where, by the exchange of cordial greetings and 
the influence of ce operative exertions, the rep¬ 
resentative* from the distant parts of our widely 
extended country become kindly affiliated ; and 
where, on the broad platform ot common philan- 
I thropy, 1 roe from sectional prejudices and party 
animosities, we become, indirectly, but not. Ha¬ 
les* effectually, united in the bonds of friend¬ 
ship und reciprocal regard; and where, from 
loving the cause- in which we are engaged, we 
| have learned to love each other. 
The importance and usefulness of a National 
PomologJcal Society is rtever questioned by 
those win) from the beginning hate labored with 
in in the acquisition of valuable information, 
if there be any who doubt, we commend to such 
the brief summary of iLs work for the last nine¬ 
teen years given in my last biennial address. 
I When we consider what Ini* been accomplished, 
( who can sH bounds to tlie progress whieh inay 
l be attained during the remainder ot this cen¬ 
tury! Aiiitmiiv revolution in I tie cultivation 
of fruits has taken place since the establishment 
of our Society. Where Hoes and vines were 
then purchit-scd by tlie dozen or hundred, they 
are now sold by the thousand. Where Hie stock 
ol nurserymen could bo summed in thousands, 
it is now enumerated by millions of trees and 
vinca. Where the grape wo* sciiroely grown a 
few years since, now thom-und* of hill-sides, 
from the base to the summit, are clad with the 
verdure of the vine, and the vintage of the 
golden western slope promises ere lung lo rival 
in value the riches of its mines. Where fruits 
were considered a* only It luxury for the opu¬ 
lent. Hmy lime now become not only a sanitary 
condiment, but a daily tu-ees-ity id the meal. 
The object of this Society is to encourage the 
culture of Hue fruits, so trial t hey may be placed 
within tiie reach of till classes, freely and Abund¬ 
antly, the poor as well as the rich. The work is 
indeed of great magnitude. With a country so 
t ailed in soli and climate, capable ol producing 
almost all the fruits of tlie globe, constantly 
Opening up to ns now rofouroos and demands, 
we have occasion for new, constant, and it.Hiring 
energy and enterprise. 
Revision of Catalogue. 
In the month of February last, an ad interim 
meeting of the officers trad Fruit Committee of 
the Society, with other gentlemen, was held in 
the city of New York, for the purpose of per¬ 
fect it g our catalogues of fruit, preparatory to 
the present session. There was u full attend¬ 
ance, made up principally of distinguished po- 
molngist* from the different suctions of tho 
Union. After a laborious session of two days 
and evenings, the meeting was adjourned, und 
the result <■! iis labors will be made knownai tills 
time. The assembling of so many prominent 
men, eminent for then- intelligence and experi¬ 
ence, at. uo small expense til lime nud money, 
and for the performance of a great national 
duty, gave unmistakable evidence of the willing- 
ness of these gentlemen to make sacrifices for 
tin- promotion Of the beneficent objects for 
which tho Society wttsoaUiblishod. These worthy 
and Bolf-sacrittclng Labors for the advancement 
of pomiilogirnl science and the welfare of our 
country cannot be too highly appreciated. Much 
as we esteem other kindred institutions, heartily 
as we welcome their co-operative aid and exer¬ 
tions, so beneficial in their own respective dis¬ 
tricts and In ourdeliberatlons, yet the American 
Homological Society should enroll in its ranks 
flic representatives not only of these organiza¬ 
tions, but should extend its Influence and pat¬ 
ronage throughout our territory, that all may 
rally under tho broad ensign of its nationality, 
and tbits build up and perpetuate a standard of 
pomology for our whole tuumtry. To this con- 
eeri. rd' action our Society must overlook for the 
elements of progress and usefulness. Our on¬ 
ward march may uot have been so rapid as we 
could have desired; but when wo consider the 
vast. and ever expanding boundaries of our 
jurisdiction, and the difficulties attendant upon 
the carrying forward and sustaining it society in 
it* early history, we should take courage from 
t he success which lav* intended our past opera¬ 
tions. And who that compares the. imparled 
condition of potnulogtcal science and the cha¬ 
otic slate of our catalogue* of fruits at the lime 
of our organization with tlie correct, well de- 
llncd and systematic knowledge ol the present 
day, win fail to see the advance which has been 
made through the iutliiHuco of tin- deiibonn ions 
and conclusions of this Society. The great ma¬ 
jority of the people must be dependent on a few 
good varieties lor their supply, mul it t* our 
province to search out from the host of new 
Hurts those which are the most valuable for this 
purpose. The work of ascertaining these, and 
of assigning t hem their appropriate locations, is 
tiie legitimate and proper duty of this Society. 
This Is constantly progressing, as will be seen by 
Our forthcoming catalogue, and Is of the most 
eneouragiug character. 
Inconstancy of Seasons, 
But we moot here an obstacle which will prob¬ 
ably continue to exist,—tlie inconstancy of the 
seasons, Wc should not, however, be diseonr- 
aged by tills. Cycles of favorable and unfavor¬ 
able years have always existed both in this and 
other lauds. While one section of country sut¬ 
lers with drouth, another Is almost submerged 
with water. Such was the ease m 1867 add ISOS, 
between the West und East, the former pa relied 
with d ion lb, the lutrer dreuohed with rain, 
new era. To such perfection have these boon 
brought, that not only our small, tender fruits 
come to us a hundred or a thousand miles, in 
good onkr; but the grape and the pear travel 
from the Pacific to the Atlantic coast. While 
penning tins address, pears and other fruits have 
come to our own hands, from California, in per¬ 
iod condition; and, to add to our stir prise, the 
nears ol that State are finding a market in Japan. 
Uur cheat* and convenient postal facilities for 
the transmission of seeds, cions, and plants, 
promoting the introduction of new rruils into 
the remotest parts of the land, are such as no 
other nation lias ever en joyed, yet not more than 
commensurate with the demands of our exten¬ 
sive territory; and we trust the day is not dis¬ 
tant when we shall have equal facilities for such 
reciprocal advantages with the whole world. 
(■oucluHion, 
Gentlemen, allow me in conclusion to express 
to you the great satisfaction jour presence af¬ 
fords me ou this occasion. I congratulate you 
upon the pnst success and future prosijects of 
this Society ; upon tlie interest awakened 
througboutour land In the cultivation of fruits; 
upon the increase of cultivators and consumers. 
Stimulating production and creating a taste and 
a market for our fruits; upon the improved fa¬ 
cilities lor transmission, from remote sections, 
and from ocean to ocean; upon the multlplica- 
lion of societies, and especially upon the agency 
of the press, in the diffusion of horticultural In¬ 
formation, by means of books, magazines, and 
newspapers, whereby the knowledge of the few 
may become that of tlie many; upon tiie new 
territory which is constantly opening up to us 
new Helds equally as well adapted to fruit cul¬ 
ture as any now In use; und upon the Improved 
systemsot cultivation whereby tho labor of days 
is reduced to hours. 
It Is our high privilege to live in an age of re¬ 
markable activity, of startling enterprise, of 
bold adventure, oT noble achievement; an age 
alike dinUtiguishcd for the progress of Invention 
and intelligence In art, science and literature. 
W e live In a country of vast proportions, of un¬ 
limited resources and of tjujug greatness, — a 
country to whoso constantly expanding terri¬ 
tory; to whose internul improvements, alreudy 
spanning the continent; to whose thriving cities 
and great commercial centers, rising os by 
magic; to whoso population, commingling from 
all climes and quarters of the world, and to 
whose wealth, power, and prowess no prophecy 
can yet. set bounds. Already our American farm 
extends from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean ; 
and It is only a question of time when it nliall be 
bounded on the north by the Arctic and on Hie 
south by Cape Horn. 
Iu all this progress, in all the development of 
the Inexhaustible resources of our ecnllnent, 
American Pomology is to constitute one of the 
most Important .sources ot national wealth and 
happiness. When wc look back to tho march of 
enterprise and civilization on Hub continent; 
when we retted, on the advancement .of our own 
favorlle art. since the org-.inlzmiou of this So- 
criely; and when we look forwurd to the mil¬ 
lions that shall reap Lbc harvest of our sowing, 
long al ter we shall have passed H orn the scenes 
of earth, who docs notfeel a deep Interest In the 
welfare of our Association and the objects it 
seeks to promote? 
Let us then be encouraged by our past success 
and be excited to renewed endeavors and confi¬ 
dence in the future. Our Association was tho 
Aral nallonal institution established for the pro¬ 
motion of pomology of which wc have any 
record. First in inception, may ix over be firm 
in advancenteuT, /!m in use Mines)*. Enterprise, 
Improvement, and perseverance are the great 
practical elements of progress. Let out wutch- 
words bo onward,—upwa rd—persevere — vrosiK 
BIENNIAL MEETING 
The American Pomological Society com¬ 
menced Its Twelfth Biennial Session at the Hail 
of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, at 
Philadelphia, on Wednesday, September 15. The 
venerable President, Hon. Ma id HAUL P. Wu- 
i)En, called tlie Society to order at ten o'clock, 
promptly, giving the membership tut eloquent 
and cordial grinding. He was followed by W. 
I,. Siiahknkk, Esq., President of the Pennsylva¬ 
nia Horticultural Society, who welcomed tlie 
American Pomological Society to the hospitali¬ 
ties of the City of Brot herly Love in cordial and 
eloquent words. President Wit.iiElt returned 
thanks and expressed bis appreciation of the 
manner in which tlie Society had been received 
in this borne ol American Agriculture, Ameri¬ 
can Horticulture mid American Independence. 
Then followed the appointment of Credential 
and Business Corami Hook. 
During tho absence of the Business Committee, 
Mr. Pailsons of Flushing, Long Island, asked 
tlie privilege of suggesting a topic for mem bora 
to think of until it D more formally brought, be¬ 
fore the Society, lo witThat the scope of tho 
Society be enlarged and it* name and avowed 
objects be *o changed as to cm brace all the de¬ 
partments 6f Horticulture—Pomology, Arbori- 
culturc, Floriculture, etc. 
The subject was referred by vote to the Execu¬ 
tive Committee. 
The Business Committee made Its report, and 
the Society took a recess. 
Afternoon Scawion. 
The Society met ai three o'clock P. M. Presi¬ 
dent Wilder delivered the Biennial Address as 
follows: 
Gewtt.rmkn or the Amkukuv PoMox.onrcAi, 
Society : The earth hath again yielded her in- 
ereuse, and the trees of the field their fruit. 
Spring lialli sown, summer hath ripened, and 
autumn Is garnering a bountiful harvest. 
Tiventy-one years have elapsed since the or¬ 
ganization of this Society; and now, as it lias 
ripened into manhood, we meet for the third 
time in this goodly city, renowned alike us the 
birthplace of Auiorieun Independence, and ns 
the home of I lie first general effort* for tin* pro¬ 
motion of American Agriculture and Horticul¬ 
ture. Many who aided lu tho establishment of 
this Society have ceased from their labors; but 
all are not gone. Some, whose hand* helped 
rock tho cradle of It* infancy, and whose wise 
counsels have aided iu forwarding It. to Its pros- 
cut auspicious maturity,—wane of the founders, 
men who have stood as strong pillars of our in- 
stltutions, arc hero w-day, to witness the pro¬ 
gress and to rejoice In the prosperity of the asso¬ 
ciation. 
DitchM i'it lleniliiTN. 
While we would gratefully recognize the mer¬ 
ciful Provldonco which has preserved tho lives 
of so many of the founders of this institution, 
and permitted ns to assemble in council once 
more, we are reminded of the nbsonoo of one 
who tins been our associate from tiie beginning. 
I allude to William Hubert Prince, who is now 
no more. 
Mr. Prince died suddenly at his residence, 
Flushing, L. I., New York, oil the28th of March, 
aged seventy-four years. 
Mr. Prince has been known for half a century 
in connect Ion with the Lluuienu nursi 
founded by bis fat hot*. William I Vine'', utld dur¬ 
ing this whole period lias been distinguished us 
a writer on horticultural subjects. His “ Treatise 
on the Vine," published in 1KKI, nod Ilia “Homo- 
logical Manual," descriptive of t)ie fruits of the 
United Stales in IKB, arc work* evincing n great, 
amount of research, ability and Information. 
lie was Hie eldest son oi one of Hu* most dis¬ 
tinguished horticulturist* in our conn try, and 
Inherited a love of rural art, which endured 
through Ids 1 1 IV. Ill* researches and Informix 
tion were alike ox tensive. He kepi pace with 
tlie ago in the acquisition of knowledge; and it 
may truthfully be Sffld that few moo in any land 
have been su thoroughly acquainted with the 
march of rural progress, or so widely known In 
the horticultural world. He was one of the 
founders of this Institution, and has attended 
most of its meet ings, and shared largely in Its 
discussions. Mr, Prince was ready and able in 
debate, and wielded a vigorous and prolific pen. 
However we may have differed with him In 
principles or practice, ull will accord to him the 
merit of a frank, open, decided expression of 
opinion : and waconcur with Mr. Meehan, editor 
or tho Gardener's Monthly, “that full Justice 
had novel’ been done to Ids real worth ill the 
horticultural worm." For more than half a 
century he was eouiiecled with American horti¬ 
culture, and, until recently, was an active and 
inlliionUal laborer in the cause; and, as an evi¬ 
dence of Mr. Prince’s taste for rural pursuits, 
we believe he never sought position or prefer 
menl in nn,\ other employment, lie was gentle¬ 
manly in Ion murmurs, social indisposition, but 
in ilobnto sometimes a little severe and pungent, 
and to I lie close of life kepi his armor on, ready 
for combat in defense of Ids own opinions. His 
name will be remembered among the loading 
Pioneers of American Horticulture. His life 
lias boon long, active, fitful. Honor to his 
memory for the good he has done. Peace to ids 
restless spirit. 
We have also to ndd to our necrological record 
the name of Henry Howland Crape. E.v-Gov- 
ernor of Michigan, in which State ho died In July 
last. Mr. Crape was sixty-five years of age at 
the time of Ids decease. IU* formerly resided in 
New Bedford, Mass., where lie was actively en¬ 
gaged in the cull ore of trees and fruits. He was 
one of the founders of this Society, and the tlrsl 
Vice-President for Massachusetts, but removed 
to Michigan about twelve years since. He was a 
gentleman of great enterprise and public spirit, 
and soon rose to distinction lu political life; but 
he still retained Ids love for agricultural and 
horticultural pursuits, entering with enthusiasm 
into everything which pertained to I he improve¬ 
ment of the SOU, the products, und the material 
interests ol' our lamb He was beloved by all 
who knew him. leaving nu unblemished reputa¬ 
tion both in public and private life. 
Import a net* nf n National .Society. 
Most happy am T to meet, on flu's occasion, so 
many who have come up to co-operate witli us 
iu our efforts for improvement- Especially 
would I congratulate you on the re-union wirh 
our Southern brethren, whose absence, from 
whatever cause, we have greatly deplored. 
Again their voices respond to our call, again 
their hearts beat in unison with ours, und again 
their presence cheers and encourages us iu our 
noble work. And lu re let me express the desire, 
that our brother pomologMs throughout the 
length and breadth of tho South, will give us the 
results of their experience; and let me repeat 
the hope expressed in my lust address, that, at 
no distant -lay, our meetings may be held in the 
South, amidst the peculiar fruits of that region, 
SO favored in its soil and climate. 
How salutary the influence of such associa¬ 
tions! Who Hiftt has witnessed the operations 
of this Society, can for a moment doubt the use¬ 
fulness and importaneenf these national gather¬ 
ings? The grout practical truth of the presont 
generation, said Daniel Webster, is, that public 
improvements are brought about by voluntary 
Combinations and associations. "The principle 
of association." said he, “ the practice of bring¬ 
ing together men hem on the .same general ob¬ 
ject, uniting their physical and intellectual 
efforts to that purpose. Is a grout improvement 
in our age.” so say we. If there were not an 
apple, or pear, or grape on exhibition, the stimu¬ 
lation oi thought produced by the contact 
are brought to New York—not to speak of other 
great markets— between one and two hundred 
ear load*, besides those received by steamboats 
and other sources, dally, making an aggregate 
of from eighty to one hundred thousand bushels 
of tills delicious fruit, affording in numbernmre 
than two peaches to every Inhabitant of that 
great city f 
But what shall be said of the grape? The only 
two Varieties generally cultivated in our north¬ 
ern gardens twenty-live years ago were the Isa¬ 
bella and Catawba. Whut would Mrs. Isabella 
Gibb* and Mr. John Adlum, to whom we are so 
much indebted lor the introduction of these 
varieties, have said If they could have realized 
that within less than fifty years the cultivation 
of the grape would be extended almost over our 
whole Union; that, lu addition to these, wo 
should have numerous varieties adnpted to 
every section of our country; that millions of 
vine* would bo planted on our hill-sides and tho 
banks of our Western lake* and rivers; that 
wild and waste lands would bo converted Into 
smiling vineyards, rivaling lu luxuriance and 
abundant product tbevine-clad bill*of Europe; 
that vines would be *old for a few cents each, 
thus enabling the humblest cottager to sit be¬ 
neath its shade, enjoy a fragrance richer than 
the rose, and pluck for the wife and weans the 
purple clusters from his own vines; or from tin* 
ripe berries, if he choose, “ crush the sweet 
poison of misused wine." Surely, even the 
sanguine Nicholas Longworth, the great Ameri¬ 
can pioneer in vine culture—all honor to his 
memory’!—could not have predicted that, within 
half a century, the manufacture of this Juice 
would exceed, ill a single State, more than five 
million* of gal Ions per year. 
Murk the amaziug increase of the small fruits. 
Take, for instance, the strawberry. Within Hie 
memory of many of this assembly, we were de¬ 
pendent almost wholly upon the wild species of 
the field, or the few which bud been transplanted 
to our gardens. It is only about thirty years 
since the first attempt, we believe, was made on 
this Continent to raise from seed a new and Im¬ 
proved variety,—ihunks to tbe enterprise of Mr. 
Hovey, which gave us a fruit that has stood the 
test lor u whole generation or men. Compare 
the small, dry, seedy, red and white wood straw¬ 
berries of our youth, with the numerous, larger, 
luscious varicl ics which have come to notice in 
our day. Not only have the latter Increased to 
hundreds of varieties within this time, but the 
quantity produced is in a Mill greater ratio. 
What would our fathers have said at the dis¬ 
patch from a single railroad station in the West¬ 
ern States, where fifty years ago the emigrant 
had scarcely set his foot, of one thousand bush- 
first planting of a single pear tree would be mul¬ 
tiplied into thousands of orcliurds, and that, in¬ 
stead of a lew pears for the summer season, 
every monlb in the year would be supplied with 
iis appropriate sort; ur what was then consid¬ 
ered an aristocratic tree, tube trained and nvirsed 
o dy in the gardens of the opulent, should be 
l> tinted in orchards of five or more thousands of 
a single variety, and bo enjoyed by Hie Western 
pioneers as well as by the Eastern magistrates 1 
How would tiie soul of the generous Peregrine 
White, of Pilgrim memory, have swelled with 
joy had he known that, in a lit He more than two 
centuries from the time of planting his apple 
tree at Plymouth, this trim would become 
almost an article of daily food: or that his 
orohurd Of oue tree would be magnified into 
orchards of twenty thousand or more trees of a 
single variety, tvs in tho case of Mr. PeJi's New¬ 
town Pippin ! And all hough i i Is recorded, some 
years after, that Gov. Winthrop hud a good store 
of pippins in his gardeu, yet neither of these 
gentlemen could have foreseen the influence of 
tbeir example in New England, to say nothing 
of the three counties of Western New York, 
Hum and lor more tiian a hundred and fifty 
rears afterward a wilderness, from which there 
nave been sent annually to market five hundred 
thousand barrels of apples, in addition to what 
were retained at home for consumption; or the 
new orcliardsof our youthful State of Nebraska, 
some of which contain seven thousand trees, 
mostly in bcariug at the ago of six or eight 
