20 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



study the principles of stock-breeding. All who have given attention to the 

 subject agree that we have as good a chance to use thought in breeding plants 

 as we have in breeding animals. In many respects the same rules will apply 

 to animals and to plants. To insure good results the breeder or improver of 

 wheat will likely do best to make his experiments on soil and in a climate 

 where wheat thrives well. The same rule applies to attempts to improve pota- 

 toes, strawberries, pears, cherries, etc. To experiment with reference to find- 

 ing iron-clad apples, I should go to Minnesota or northern Iowa. For the best 

 "luck" in originating new potatoes I should look to some cool climate and 

 not to the Southern States. 



As we recognize the feeding and care of animals as the leading factor in 

 improving them, so we look to feed, care and climate to help us in improving 

 plants by crossing. 



Stock breeders recognize the similarity of rules which apply to breeding or 

 crossing animals and crossing plants. 



A year or more ago I published some experiments on crossing plants. The 

 article was copied in the American Live Stock Journal with comments similar 

 to the one I have already made as to the similarity of most of this kind in the 

 animal and plant world. 



Pres. Lyon. — Who shall decide between the pistilate and hermaphrodite plants 

 when, as in the Crescent Seedling strawberry, there occasionally seems to be 

 some good anthers? 



Prof. Beal. — We find all gradations, from perfect flowers in which both sets 

 of organs are present to those in which there is but one set of organs. I have 

 noted that the strongest growing plants are those which have imperfect flowers. 



Pres. Lyon. — Will Prof. Beal explain why theCresent Seedling is so prolific? 



Prof. Beal. — I was not aware that this variety was notably more prolific than 

 some others. The Green Prolific variety produces a great abundance of fruit 

 if planted with another variety which has plenty of stamens. It has been 

 observed that varieties differ in productiveness even if the flowers are perfect. 

 It is pretty hard to account for these peculiarities in many cases. 



J. Austin Scott. — Why do we have so many choice varieties of apples, and 

 how do they originate? 



Prof. Beal. — Mr. Scott knows that if the seeds of a Northern Spy apple be 

 planted and the trees grown from them, it is a chance if a single tree will bear 

 fruit the same as the parent. Many of these sorts will be worthless, but there 

 may be some excellent ones, which if given extra care will prove to be acquisi- 

 tions. 



J. Lannin. — How can we breed a variety to suit certain conditions? For 

 instance, it would be a great thing to have a good peach to follow immediately 

 after Hale's. How shall we get it? 



Prof. Beal. — I should take an earlier, distinct, well-marked variety and cross 

 with a later one, and plant the pits. 



J. S. Woodward, Lockport. — Will the professor tell us if in his opinion in 

 such a cross as he mentions, the quality of the new sort would take after the 

 variety from which the pollen was used? 



Prof. Beal. — In this, as a good many other things, the " doctors disagree." 

 There are instances where men have experimented with a great many plants 

 and reached opposite conclusions. As yet no law has been found which seems 

 to govern this matter. 



Mr. Baldwin. — It seems to me if I were going to experiment in crossing I 

 would take varieties which will reproduce themselves from the pit. It occurs 



