Pollination in Orchards. 



383 



The Advantages of General Mixed Planting. 



It would appear that the only thing to do now is to find out what 

 varieties are inclined to be self-sterile and the varieties which are 

 best adapted for fertilizing them. But as a matter of fact, cross- 

 pollination gives better results with nearly all varieties, be they self- 

 sterile or self-fertile. A variety may be able to bear good frnit 

 when it is planted alone, but it will often bear better fruit if suitable 

 varieties are near it. Mixed orchards are more productive than solid 



86. — Bradshaw Plum. From German Pnine jyolen 

 above, from Bradshaw pollen below. No benefit 

 from cross-polli7iation. 



blocks, taking the country over. It is a common observation in 

 Western New York that Baldwins in mixed orchards are more 

 uniformly productive than Baldwins in large blocks. Furthermore, 

 although a variet}- may be able to set an abundance of fruit with its 

 own pollen, this frnit will often be smaller than if other pollen were 

 supplied. From a number of experiments made in 1899, a few rep- 

 resentative results are here given to illustrate this point. 



Compare the size of self-pollinated and cross-pollinated fruits in 



