The record-union., 1895-01-21
FRUIT CULTURE ON This COAST.
A Glance at the History of Its De-
velopment.
An Interesting Paper Read by Pro-
lessor L. j. Wickson at the Late
Pomolo2ical Convention.


One OF the most interesting papers read
at the American Pathological Convention
last week was that Professor E. J,
Wickson OF the State University on
Fruit Growing in California and Its
Development"
Seeding fruits, said the speaker, have
been an important factor in the pomology
of the Pacific Coast from the earliest
times. The pioneer pomologists were the
Mission fathers, who began their work
upon the peninsula of Lower California
in 1897 and extended it to the territory
now known as California in 1869. To
what extent these missionaries depended
upon selection from seedlings to develop
the fruit varieties which became char
acteristic of their establishments in this
State, or how far these varieties are due to
the introduction of cuttings from ap-
proved varieties OF two centuries ago in
Spain, may never be definitely known.
The Mission olive and the Mission grape
have been tentatively identified with
European varieties to which they do pos
sesS at least a strong reSem blance.
Both these fruits are certainly very far
removed from the wild types. and both
are fruits most readily grown from cut
tings. The same is true of the Mission
hg. If 1t be granted that they did not
originate these fruits from seed it must
also be conceded as most probable that
The other fruits of the Mission, the
oranges, lines, -scitrons, pomegranates,
dates, apples, pears, peaches and plums
were seedlings.
The interiority of these fruits is in
marked contrast to the excellence OF the
might be taken to indicate that the fathers
were more expert at tanning Indians than
at improving fruits, or else they would
nave given us varieties of other fruits
possessed of as distinctive excellence as
must be granted TO their olive, grape and
hg. Must we then decide that the earliest
growers of seeding fruits on the coast
did not improve their opportunities?
ABOUT A CENTURY LATER
Than the first seed-planting in Lower
California, three was an Introduction OF
seed from the northeast and the north
west. The trappers and agents of the
Hudson Bay Company started fruit trees
from seed in Western Oregon and the
Russians on the coast of Northern Cali
iornia. These early corners seem to have
been content with whatever came from
their seed. and, possibly, with the eXcep-
ton OF single apple, which can he traced
TO the Russian settlement, they left no
pomoIogical legacy to the present race Of
truit-growerS.
With the advent of Americans there
came not only fruit seeds but enterprise
and ambition directed by pomological
love and lore, and for the last fifty years
the frult-growers OF California and Ore
gon have done more in the origination
OF new varieties from seed than the same
number OF people anywhere else in the
world. OF course only a small part of
have attained commercial importance
end yet enough have passed this test to
make California fruit lists largely unin-
1elllgible TO Eastern or European pomol-
oglSts. l believe 1t is no eXaggeratIon to
clam that one-third, and possibly even
more, of the deciduous fruits and nuts
which we grow for export are of
VARIETIES ORIGINATED HERE,
And unknown to distant orchards or to
distant literature. The fact that these va
rletes are peculiarly suited to our local
conditions may somewhat limit their in
dustrlaI importance TO the world at large,
but does not at all reduce their value to
pOmological science.
Nor does the other fact that their orr
gin IS due to the necessity, which was
very early dlscerned, that our peculiar
conditions required new varieties adapted
TO those conditions, lessen their pomo-
logical significance. 1t rather affords
unique evidence that pomology is a sci
ence and not merely an arrangement of
empirical formulas and rules. II gives
the pursuit of pomology new dignity also
as an art because it endows it with crea-
tive functions.
IL is gratifying to US as Californians to
be able to claim, upon the basis of such
achievement as l have limited at, some
true aftiliation with our distinguished
guests, whose reputation is already es-
fNr h k,
pleading.
CALIFORNIA HAS THE BEST.
1t would be an exceedingly interesting
study to trace out the introduction of the
best varieties of fruits from all the quar-
ters OF the earth and to show that in our
seeding fruits, as in our native sons and
daughters of the Golden West there is
the choicest blood which flows from all
enlightened sources. 1t would be too
great task for such an occasion as this
1t may, however, be conceded that for
nearly half century the earth has been
ransacked for pomological treasures to
bring to California. These trees and vines
have bloomed, the winds have blown
insects have come and gone, and though
probably not one variety in hundred of
those brought to California can now be
found in our commercial orchards, who
can say that any one of them has not
during its probation here, given some
attribute of its being to some Seeding
which comes to US with new form and
qualities thought to be original?
California is disposed then to allude to
her achievements in the line of new
fruits with due humility. She really
knows not what triumphs of pomologists
long gone to their reward have Joined,
upon California soil and under California
skies, to bring forth the present master
pieces she calls her own.
CHANCE SEEDLINGS,
While there have been a number of
new fruits originated in California by
the most scientific method OF cross -pollin-
alton from selected parentage and while
the achievements of Luther Burbank of
Santa Rosa In this line are perhaps as
creditable as any originator in the world
can claim, ii must be acknowledged that
thus far California has accomplished most
by the humble and elementary method
OF recognition OF merit in chance seed
Hngs.
In early American days fruit seeds
came in the luggage of hundreds of gold
seekers. Those who went out from the
old Eastern homes to seek fortunes in
our gold fields very often brought seed
from the grand old fruit trees around
which the memories of childhood low
ingly clustered. Those who, in haste of
starting, or thinking that they were go-
ing to barren land, neglected fruit seeds,
asked for them in their first letters to the
old homes. The result of this general in
PRODUCTION of seed from varieties most es-
the welcoming California soil of large