by Oliver Perry Medsger
EDIBLE WILD FRUITS
O, fruit loved of boyhood! the old days recalling,
When wood-grapes were purpling and brown nuts were failing 1
J. G. WHITTIER
AMERICA is blessed with wild fruits. It would be difficult to find a piece of woodland or an abandoned field that did not some time during the season produce one or more species of wild fruits that are edible raw or could be prepared in some way for the table. Blackberries, blueberries, plums, and wild grapes often grow in rank profusion, and country people frequently make great use of them. Some of our finest horticultural varieties have been developed from native wild species. Others yet untamed have great possibilities and it is hoped that man some day will apply the factors of evolution to their development.