We see the
value set on animals even by the barbarians of Tierra del Fuego, by
their killing and devouring their old women, in times of dearth, as of
less value than their dogs.
In plants the same gradual process of improvement, through the
occasional preservation of the best individuals, whether or not
sufficiently distinct to be ranked at their first appearance as
distinct varieties, and whether or not two or more species or races
have become blended together by crossing, may plainly be recognised in
the increased size and beauty which we now see in the varieties of the
heartsease, rose, pelargonium, dahlia, and other plants, when compared
with the older varieties or with their parent-stocks. No one would
ever expect to get a first-rate heartsease or dahlia from the seed of
a wild plant. No one would expect to raise a first-rate melting pear
from the seed of a wild pear, though he might succeed from a poor
seedling growing wild, if it had come from a garden-stock. The pear,
though cultivated in classical times, appears, from Pliny's
description, to have been a fruit of very inferior quality. I have
seen great surprise expressed in horticultural works at the wonderful
skill of gardeners, in having produced such splendid results from such
poor materials; but the art, I cannot doubt, has been simple, and, as
far as the final result is concerned, has been followed almost
unconsciously. It has consisted in always cultivating the best known
variety, sowing its seeds, and, when a slightly better variety has
chanced to appear, selecting it, and so onwards.
Pages:
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61