FARMERS' IXSTITUTES. 



20 r 



Mimulus luteiis. — The intercrossed plants are dei'ived from a cross 

 between two plants of the Sth self-fertilized generation. Tlie 

 self-fertilized plants belong to the 9th generation 



Eschscholtzia Californica. — The intercrossed and self-fertilized 

 plants belong to the 2d generation 



Dianthiis caryophyllus. — The intercrossed plants are derived from 

 self-fertilized of the 3d generation, crossed by intercrossed 

 plants of the 3d generation. The self-fertilized plants belong 

 to the 4th generation 



Petunia violacea. — The intercrossed and self-fertilized plants be- 

 long to the 5th generation 



(4-1 cS 



3 



40 



33 



46 



In William's Choice Stove and Greenhouse Plants, Vol. I., p. 33, we find the 

 record of some similar experiments made some years ago on several ornamental 

 flowering plants. 



Very likely, judging from the first table, the further crossing of different 

 stock of the same variety would have made a still greater improvement in the 

 yield of seed. 



Changing Stoch. 



In many instances plants have been improved by repeated selection of the 

 best and continued cultivation for some years on one farm. 



It is a pojmlar notion in many places that plants may be improved by a 

 change of seed or stock from one country to another. Many of our familiar 

 weeds are more thrift}' with us than they are in their native country. 



We believe in our severe climate the Ayrshire cattle excel the Jerseys in har- 

 diness, because the former for many generations have been bred in Scotland, 

 while the latter for a long time raised on the channel islands, where they have 

 not been subjected to great extremes of climate. In some cases the same rule 

 holds good for plants; in other cases it does not, TJie test must be made for 

 each variety or species, as no definite rule can be given as a guide in all cases. 

 Seeds taken from the same fruit and sown in soil of uniform quality and treated 

 in every way as nearly alike as possible will not alwa3'S grow or produce alike. 

 If some seeds are removed to soils and climates very unlike and treated unlike 

 in culture, the plants will be much more likely to change their character. Con- 

 tinue this different mode of treatment for some years and a change, great or 

 small, is most sure to be the result. 



Manure and Culture or no Culture for Orchards. 



This seems to be a question not yet solved and one well worthy the careful 

 attention of our best men. 



