Discussion on Fertilization. 65- 



from seed to ripen. Those pears are in fine condition now, measure from 

 nine to ten inches around, and look as though they would keep sound for a 

 month or two more. 



If, then, we can distinguish from the outward appearance of pears those 

 upon which the cross-fertilization has taken effect, and from the seed of 

 those thus crossed can produce full grown pears in five years, it seems to 

 bring the production of new varieties very much within our control. Let 

 us all then lend a hand to the good work and endeavor to produce just such 

 pears as we desire. 



DISCUSSION ON FERTILIZATION. 



Mr. Alwood, of Ohio — The result of our investigation, at the Ohio 

 Experiment Station, convinces us that there is something more than 

 mere tiieory in this matter. The flowers of the Crescent fertilized 

 by pollen of various staminate varieties produce fruit more or less 

 partaking of the character of the staminate variety. To prove that 

 our work has been thorough we have isolated flowers of the Crescent 

 in the same manner as those fertilized by staminate varieties, and 

 they have invariably failed to produce fi'uit. We have thus satis- 

 fied ourselves that the artificially fertilized flowers are thoroughly 

 influenced by the staminate variety used. The results of this care- 

 ful work prove clearly that the fruit reflects the character of tlie 

 male parent. 



3Ir. Fierce, of Ohio — Watermelons are certainly aff'ected by the 

 near proximity of squashes. An instance where watermelons were 

 grown near Hubbard squashes thoroughly proves this. To prove 

 that it was not from the mixture of seed of a previous year's growth,, 

 old seed were used which were known to be pure, yet the result was 

 as stated. 



Mr. Gayivood, of New York — In promiscuous fertilization we get 

 natural crosses when varieties are grown within reach of the pollen- 

 izing influence. In art fertilization we know we will get in some 

 respects what we aim at. The question now is, whether we get im- 

 mediate results in the current crop of fruit or whether the results 

 are only recognizable in the offspring. 



Mr. Merwin, of Tennessee — Judge Parry mentions red corn. I 

 agree that corn is affected by the character of the pollen by which 

 it is fertilized. But this is hardly a fair illustration, as the corn 

 itself (the grain) corresponds to the seed of the strawberry, while 



