Buchanan County bulletin and guardian. (Independence, Iowa) 1866-1869, 1868-03-06
improvements In traits and vcgtta.
blee.


Every year adds tc the experience
OF the horticulturis,, for every season
brings with il some variation in tenn
rcrature, moisture or drought, etc.
which has favorable or uniavorahle
effect on the fruit crop. Every orch.
ard or garden presents some crafty
ing proof Of progress in horticulture.
In the days of Virgil or Columella
the peach. which is now found in al
most every part of the world which
possesses soil and climate suited 10
its growth, was not known outside
the limits Of Persia, and it is said that
even in that country, it was originally
an almond surrounded with husky
shell, instead Of the sweet and melt
ing hcsh which now clothes the kerr
mel OF that improved frnit.
The carrot, which is now so whole
some and nutritious vegetable, has
been produced from the continued
cultivation Of worthless plant (Duu.
cas- ca,ota) which grows Wild IL the
temperate countries Of Europe. The
potato {.Solanrn fu6erosunl is still
found in 4 wild state in the Province
ofQaito, in South America. 1t was
FIRST cultivated in gardens ~ curios-
ity, and by the cxertions OF parmen-
iico and others, who Of, rcd rremi-
ums to induce farmers TO cul,iv ne
this plant, its merits are now well
kaown all over the world. Humbol,
says" The cultivation of the psta-
TO has become common in New Yea
land and Japan--in the Island of Ja-
va, in the Coutan, and in Bengal. Its
cultivation extends from the cxtrcmi-
tv Of Africa to Labrador, Iceland,
and Lapland. II is avery inter St, Z
spectacle 70 see . plant defending
from the moAntains under the Equas
tor, advance towards the Pole, and
resist. better than the cereal graDsiro.
all the colds Of the North.
In comparatively modern times
great improvements have been made
in fruits and Vegetables, and the i'm
provemcnt is still advancing. DR.
Van Mons, the celebrated orchardis,
of Belgium, devoted life tine TO the
improvement of fruits. cspeci .lly
pears. In 1898, his nurseries con
tanning more than 1000 Seeding pear
trees OF merit His theory was that
all fruits are artificial products, the
aim Of nature being only a healthy,
vigorous state Of the tree, and per-
feet seeds. 1t shsuld be the obiec,
of the cul;ivator. then, to snbdue the
excess OF vegetation, to lesson the
cnarseness Of the tree. diminish the
size OF the seed, and increase the
quantity and refine the quality Of the
pulp or flesh. He SAYS the older the
tree is Of any cultivated variety of
pear, the nearer will the seeding rails
Ell from it approach wild state, with.
ont, however. attaining it The seeds
Of young fruit trees have not much
tendency to dcteriorate, and are best
qualified for producing good quality
Of seedlings.
Although the pear has been cult
waited for nearly two thousand years,
it is within the last fifty or sixty years
that Its fruit has been brought to the
high state of perfection in which we
now find it. Up to that time it was
used principally for cooking. Sew
eral of the most superior varieties
have been originated by Van Mons,
and other pomologists whose names
they bear. The Hon. Marshal p.
Wilder, President Of the American
Pathological Society. has spen, life
time in improving old varities of pears
or originating new ones, and the en-
ployment has been agreeable to him.
self, and very useful TO the communi-
~. Although dwarfng the pear by
grating or budding on the ounce
and other stocks, has no, been much
practiced until lately, the process
was known many years ago, aud it il
rather doubtful improvement-the
trees partakiug Of the nature of the
stocks and becoming weak and short
lived.
There has been great improvement.
made in the peach within few years
and the names Of Crawford. Hale
Coolidge, Cole. Morris, etc., will &c
down to posterity attached to ths
fruits which they have originated OF
improved. In some localities, thai
destructive disease known as the "yel
lows" has swept away whole orchards
every remedy to prevent its attack,
having proved Intellectual, vet DESPITE
of this drawback, the cultivation o.
the peach is extending rapidly, and
he numerous orchards which are be-
ing planted are of tie most improved
varieties.
A few years ago the Isabella and
Caiawha, were the only val ties o.
hardy grages, which we're deemed
worthy Of cultivation in the North.
western States, and even these were
confined to gardens and d oor-yards
Nov We have long list Of inn roved
varieties, which is receiving access
ioas every year. At present Ne have
the Concord, Clinton, Creveling. Di
ana. Delaware, Hartford Prolific, 10
Ia, lsraella, Ives. Muscadine, Maxa
ta~ny, Rebecca, Rogers Hybrids
Salem. Union Village. and variou,
others which are hardy and produc
tive. These good results have beer
for the most part achieved by iDdivid
nal enterprise, stimulated BY compe
tition through the agency Of horticul
tural societies, and the publicity giyes
70 their proceedings by exhibition o
frnit and the vide spread circulation
Of agricultural and horticultural pa
pers.
The 0ees Cherrsee eer Cuasavntie.