The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-10-16

"Ifa pear like the Bartlett or Beun,
d'Anjou can be produced which shall b.
suited to every section, then another o
Ike or better quality can be created ant
possess the same adaptation. Nor is ther,
any reason why strawberry like tht
Wilson, or grape like the Concord, may
not be raised of far better quality, and ye
possess all the other valuable character
isticS Of these varieties. That there may
be point beyond which fruit is not sus.
ceptible of improvement as believed by
some, we cannot aver, but that most Of
our varieties fall short Of this perfection
all will agree. When we consider the
character Of the fruits which have come
down to us from antiquity, the wonder is
not that we have no more of strictly first
class varieties, but that we have already
produced so many superior sorts. These
considerations afford ample evidence OF
the tendency towards improvements and
leads us to the belief that by planting the
seeds of our best varieties we shall advance
still further towards perfection.
"Duhamel, Poiteau and their contem-
poraries after repeated trials with the
seeds Of the old varieties, produced but
few worthy of note. 1t was reserved for
Esperen, Gregoire, Bivort, Berckmanns,
and other experimenters, who sowed the
seeds of improved sorts, to give us most of
the fine new varieties which now adorn our
tables. In confirmation of this opinion
we have numerous instances in our own
country. Witness the seeding pears of
Messrs. Dana, Clapp and Shurtleff, of this
vicinity, and those from other places,
which grace this department of our
exhibition. In these we have an
illustration of what can be accom-
plished in the space of few years, by
the sowing of the seeds of modern vari.
cites. In Mr.. Fox's experiment we have,
also, an evidence of the influences of vir-
gin soil, high temperature and clear atmos-
phere, giving US tokens of like advantages
which we expect to derive from the new
lands of our western friends in the produce
ton of fine varieties. We may add IN re-
gard to MIR. Fox's Seeding pears, that we
know not how to sccount for the strong
evidence of natural cross fertilization which
they exhibit, unless it was caused by the
favorable climate influence which we have
just mentioned.
Formerly we were obliged to rely mostly
on imported kinds for our best fruits, but as
time progresses these are gradually disap-
pearing, and their places are being filled by
those of American origin. OF the forty
three kinds Of plums in our catalogue,
more than half are American. OF fifty
eight kinds of peaches, more than two-thirds
are American, and, in fact, very few others
IRE much in cultivation. Of the nineteen
kinds of strawberries, all but three are
MN nf -
grapes, all are American. Thus of these
'ruits we have in our catalogue. at the pres
mt time, Isl varieties, and, with the ex-
,eption of thirty-seyen, all are of Ameri-
IAN origin. Thus may we 60 on, rising
higher and higher in the scale of excel
ence, looking forward with bright antici-
,ations to the time when, through the inau-
,nce of these examples, and of our own
md kindred associations, cur catalogue
ihall be filed with varieties of American
,rig;n, and every part Of our country re-
dice in fruits born on the soil on which we
i've. ilB
why tits only about a century since Van
Mons, knight and the great pomologists of
europe we're born. 1t is within the pres
mt century that Coke, Thomas, Buel, |
Prince, Lowell, Manning and Kenrick COM
nenced their efforts to improve the pomo-
ogy Of our country. 1t is within a much
alter period that that tho Downiugs, the |
younger Thomas, Kirkland, Hovey. ELL
vanger and Barry, Brinckle, Kennicott,
Narder, Elliott, Berckmanns, commenced 4
heir operations for the advancement of |
his cause. These considerations should ex-
lite US to greater enterprise and renewed |
xertions. This is the great work |
# the American Pathological socie-
y.ta&We have but just entered
lpon it, How vast and inviting the field |
hat lies spread out before us /! Some of |
hese thoughts, perhaps in another form, l |
nay have presented to you before, but it is |
y line upon line and precept upon precept |
hat desire to enforce my advice; and |
vere never to address you again, l would |
epeat the couneilI have SO often given, in |
egard to the production of new and fine |
ruits, viz: TO plant the most mature and |
'erfect seeds Of the most hardy, vigorous
nd valuable varieties; and as a shorter
recess, insuring more certain and happy |
esnlts. cross, or hybridize your best
ruits.' ,,.s,