PROCESS OF HYBRIDIZATION. 163 



scanty; but there was enough to produce eight or ten young bulbs. Of 

 these, when they bloomed, one bore a flower combining the features of 

 both parents; but, though large, it was far inferior to L. Parkmanni in 

 form and color. The remaining flowers were not distinguishable from 

 those of the pure L. speciosum.'' 



The communication contains also an account of the 

 author's experiments upon other lilies ; and its value is 

 increased by most suggestive comments upon the results. I 

 do not know where you can find a more instructive lesson in 

 hybridizing plants than is afforded by a careful study of 

 Mr. Parkman's paper. 



The relations of this special case to other cases of hybridiz- 

 ing will become clear when you have examined, later in the 

 evening, the general principles believed to be established : at 

 present I shall merely call your attention to a few of the 

 more important practical points to be derived from it. 1st, 

 Selection of promising species. Here is where your judg- 

 ment must be called upon. 2d, Care in preparing your 

 plants for the process : this makes a demand upon your skill 

 as a cultivator. 3d, Complete removal of its own pollen 

 from the flower to be impregnated. The stamens are to be 

 cut away, and taken out by delicate forceps, before the bud 

 has opened, or while it is expanding. 4th, Application of 

 the desired pollen at the moment when the stigma is fitted 

 to receive it. 5th, Subsequent care of the plant while the 

 seeds are maturing. 6th, The great probability of discoura- 

 ging results. Suppose the single hybrid which alone was 

 wished for had failed to grow, and the results were to be 

 judged only by the fifty inferior hybrids. One has said that 

 the production of hybrids is like a game of chance with 

 nature ; but the odds are rather heavily against you. It is a 

 lottery in which there are many blanks and few prizes ; but 

 the prizes are precious. 



Is there any law governing the chances ? or is this simply 

 playing against loaded dice? An answer to that question 

 may be found in the remarkable treatise by Professor Nageli ' 

 of Munich, in which some general principles respecting 

 hybrids in plants are clearly presented and fully illustrated. 



1 Published in Sitzungsberi elite der Kais. Bayer. Akad. der "Wissenschafteu 

 zu Miinchen, 1865. ii. Heft iv. Partly continued in the number for Jan. 13, 

 1866. 



