And now in fulfillment of my promise to urge upon you while I live, the importance of producing from seed, new improved varieties of fruits, adapted to the various soils and climates of our vast territory, I have substantially to repeat what I have said in my former addresses. These are the means, and the only means, which God and nature have provided for the improvement of our fruits, and the better we understand and practise them the nearer shall we approach to that divine beneficence which gives flavor and richness to our fruits, and to the senses the highest types of beauty, grace, and gratification.

Thus from time to time I have spoken to you, and, were these my last words, I would again impress them upon you as of the utmost importance. With a careful study of the tendency of varieties, and a judicious selection of parents, as breeders, we shall go on to produce fruits which will be adapted to every climate or condition of our land where any species of fruit may be grown. When we see what nature has done without the aid of manipulation - in the cold regions of the North, as in Russia, from whence came the Oldenburg and Tetoftsky apples, the Black Tartarian cherry, and other good fruits, as seen by Professor Budd and Mr. Charles Gibb, who can doubt our ability to produce fine fruits even in the colder regions of our country ?

When we consider that the art of crossing varieties for their improvement was scarcely known until our day, and see what wonders have been accomplished by it, who can doubt that we may yet produce a pear with the richness of the Seckel, the form and size of the Bosc, and the vigor and productiveness of the Boussock. And so we may go on to improve other fruits, until all shall be made as perfect as ever were grown by " the grand old gardener" in Eden. But to do this we must study the characteristics of varieties, and thus help nature to perfect this work.

Thus Providence has placed in the hands of man a power to assist nature in the production of her most perfect and beautiful creations. And whatever some may think of variation, evolution, transmutation, or transformation of species, the great fundamental laws of life and its reproduction will remain unchangeable and immutable as long as the earth bears a plant, or a tree yields a fruit, or nature holds her place in the universe.

Nature is a kind handmaid, and, by her lovely creations, is constantly inviting us to come up and assist in her glorious conquests. Her voice is heard throughout the earth. To us, she says:

"Come up and sit with me, and you shall have plenty and perfection. Come, and I will give you fruits which shall delight the eye, gratify the taste, and satisfy your souls".

O ! Yes! Thou Queen of Grace, We'll come and take thee at thy word; We'll take thee, Nature, as a bride, And, hand in hand and side by side, Our loves and labors we will join, And bless the hand that gives us thine.

We have now many excellent varieties of fruits from foreign lands which are suited to many of the soils and climates of our country. But when we reflect upon the number that have proved worthless, and are not suited to our condition, and consider the large number of good American sorts that have already been raised, we are forced to the conclusion that we must, hereafter, rely mainly on the production of new varieties from seed to supply the necessary kinds for our constantly increasing territory for fruit culture. We therefore rejoice in the great interest which has been awakened in this subject, so that what was a few years ago considered by physiologists and philosophers a mysterious art or science, is now practised extensively by cultivators in the various families of vegetable life. And now that we have the knowledge of this art, there is no limit to its use for the improvements we may desire. And, strange as it may seem that the knowledge of this process of helping nature was withheld from us until our day, it is capable of indefinite application as long as the sexes of plants shall be known, and is the only means to revolutionize and improve the fruits of the earth.

When we reflect on the improvement which has been realized by cross-fertilization in the various species of the vegetable kingdom, we can scarcely fix a limit to its potent influence for good on our fruits. And we may thus go on from one degree of excellence to another until we shall produce fruits as fine as were ever grown by our father in Eden. Go on prospering and to prosper in this most promising and beneficent work. You can do nothing better for the generations that are to follow us; and so again, with line upon line, and perhaps for the last time, I leave with you my old injunction : " Plant the most mature and perfect seeds of the most hardy, vigorous, and valuable varieties; and as a shorter process, insuring more certain and happy results, cross and hybridize our finest kinds for still greater excellence." Go on ! Go on! while you live, and when we are gone, others will rise up to chant our old song : -

Plant the best seeds of all your best fruit, Good fruits to raise that some lands may suit; Fruits which shall live their blessings to shed, On millions of souls when you shall be dead.

Plant! plant your best seeds - no longer doubt That beautiful fruits you may create; Fruits which, perchance, your name may enshrine, In emblems of life and beauty to shine.

Thus have I summed up some of the most important considerations and suggestions of my former addresses, thinking that I could do nothing better than to call your attention to them again, and reenforce them as principles upon which must depend the successful prosecution of our work.

And now, gentlemen, in conclusion, let me again congratulate you on what our Society has already accomplished. "The past is secure;" but the great duty still remains of extending, fostering, and rightly directing the pomology of our country.

Other societies have arisen, and will continue to arise, and help forward our noble designs; but the American Pomological Society will still bring together the most distinguished cultivators of our land, and will be the great head, guardian, and guide of the pomology of this western world. When we reflect on what has been accomplished in the thirty-seven years of its history, and think of the immense territory in our favored land which is yet to be occupied with fruit culture, and of the increasing demand for these products so necessary for the health and happiness of life, we feel the great responsibility which rests on us as protectors and conservators of one of the most important branches of American husbandry. Let me then urge you to persevere in this work and preserve our bond of union throughout the land. " Union is strength;" and in nothing is this better illustrated than in the associated efforts which have given such influence and importance to our Society. Perpetuate it, that the blessings which it confers may go down to posterity, and grateful millions shall bless the memory of those who laid its foundations, and shall aid in carrying out its benevolent designs.

Think once more, my friends, of the great blessings which you may confer on mankind by the multiplication of good fruits. Next to saving the soul is the saving of health, and I know of no better means than an abundant supply of ripe fruits.

Fruits are the overflow of nature's bounty; gems from the skies which are dropped down to beautify the earth, charm the sight, gratify the taste, and minister to the enjoyment of life; and the more we realize this, the more shall we appreciate the Divine goodness to us, and the duty of providing them for others.

Like morning's first light, that gladdens the sight, So may the best fruits spread over the earth. And when we shall reach that still fairer land, And round the life-tree in mercy shall stand, May each pluck its fruit, and nevermore feel The serpent's sharp tooth, once close at his heel.