166 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



and the whole phenomenon of seed formation is more satisfactorily 

 explained. Reproduction of seeds is highly beneficial only 

 because of the crossing of the flowers. Nature gives us, then, 

 a very emphatic hint, which we will do well to heed still more 

 fully than we now do. Practical experience has abundantly 

 proved the value of artificial crossing of the pollen from one 

 plant to the pistil of another of the same species, and it appears- 

 that the greater good comes from the greater dissimilarity of con- 

 ditions under which the two parent forms have been grown. 



The correctness of the conclusions here announced can hardly 

 be disputed, for they are founded upon the broad and general 

 facts of nature. That ready and abundant proof is not at hand 

 in art, if, indeed, such a state of things exist, is only because the 

 variations, good or bad, are usually of small, even minute, amount 

 for any one generation. The practical horticulturist must not get 

 discouraged through want of immediate and brilliant success in 

 improving the object of his special care. Let him study well his 

 subject, master fully the problems of plant life and well being,, 

 then "learn to labor and to wait." 



THE EELATION OF BEES TO HORTICULTURE. 



BY C. P. DADANT, HAMILTON. 



Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: 



The relation of bees to horticulture can be divided into two 

 main parts: the relation of bees to flowers, and their action upon 

 fruit. 



The sole natural food of the honey-bee is taken from the blos- 

 soms and is composed of nectar only for the adult bee, and of 

 nectar and pollen for the growing larvae. If we believe that there 

 is a purpose in everything in nature, we will soon find the purpose 

 of bees and other insects. They are created undoubtedly, to help 

 in fertilizing the flowers. The pollen, which is the fecundating 

 dust of flowers, would not in all cases reach the germ if it was 

 not for the busy insects, who, while in search of honey, shake a 

 portion of this upon the pistil, carrying it also from one blos- 

 som to another. Pollen exists in such abundant quantities, and 

 the amount of it needed to fertilize the blossoms is so small 

 that there is always plenty, and the only requirement is that it be 

 properly distributed. The incessant travels of the insects over 

 the blossoms not only help the distribution, but also furnish to 

 one blossom the pollen of another, thus preventing excess of 

 consanguinity that would often prove fatal, and help to create- 

 new varieties. 



A very clear evidence that the honey exists in the blossom to 

 attract insects for blossom fertilization lies in the fact that those 



