This distinguished man of science died at his home, near Cleveland,
Ohio, on the 11th of December, 1877, at the advanced age of eighty-four
years. To those who are now passing the meridian of life, he was well
known as a most earnest student of nature, working diligently in several
fields, with the fidelity and pains-taking of an enthusiastic admirer.
His labors in the cultivation of fruits, and especially his experiments
in the hybridization of cherries, have made his name familiar to every
fruit grower. It is to him that we are indebted for that beautiful early
cherry, the Governor Wood, which has been extensively disseminated
throughout the sweet-cherry region of Ontario. Over twenty varieties of
sweet-cherries, originated by him, are now in cultivation, conspicuous
among which, besides the one already named, are his Black Hawk,
Kirkland’s Mary, and Rockport Bigarreau.
Dr. Kirkland was born at Wallingford, in the State of Connecticut, on
the 10th of November, 1793. His love of nature manifested itself in his
early boyhood; the habits of all living things that had their haunts
near his childhood’s home were familiar to him, and at the early age of
twelve years he was trying experiments in the raising of silkworms. His
grandfather bequeathed to him his medical library, and sufficient means
to enable him to obtain a medical education. He entered the medical
department of Yale College at its opening, and was the first student on
its matriculation roll. After pursuing the practice of his profession
for several years in his native State, he accepted the chair of theory
and practice of medicine in the Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati,
which he filled for five years with great ability and acceptance. In
1837 he purchased a farm, situate five miles west of Cleveland, where he
made his home for the rest of his life. Here he pursued his favourite
experiments in fruit culture and hybridization, and here he raised those
hybrid cherries that have added so much to the pleasure and comfort of
many a lover of fruit. During the period of his residence here he
superintended the natural history department of the first geological
survey of Ohio, and prepared a series of reports, which have been
esteemed most valuable contributions to natural history. His large
collection of specimens he donated to the Cleveland Society of Natural
Sciences, where they are now jealously treasured. His was a busy life,
down to its very close; for his temperate habits and genial spirits had
preserved his vigor even to old age. May his mantle fall upon some of
our young men who shall, with like tireless energy, take up the work of
scientific fruit culture, and carry it on to yet fuller and richer
results.
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