FAEMEKS' INSTITUTES. 315 



the first year affects the quality of the fruit. Some experiments made at the 

 College indicate that this influence may be apparent on the first year, as in case 

 of a cross between a Eed iVstrachan and Talman Sweet. 



To decide whether any influence is exerted in time of maturing, cross an early 

 variety with a late variety. 



Mr. Ricketts, of Newburgh, IsT. Y., who has had great experience in hybrid- 

 izing the grape, asserts very confidently that "the period of ripening of a 

 hybridized bunch of grapes is affected by the influence of the pollen of the male 

 parent;" that he has verified it by the experience and observation of years. 

 Gr. M. Campbell, of Ohio, also accords with this view. 



Crossing of Ajyples and Crossing of Pears, 



On account of the long time required for obtaining the results, few men have 

 experimented on these fruits, for this reason this field, seems to offer great 

 inducement to experimenters. But very few men are doing anything on these 

 fruits. Much has been done with grapes, strawberries, potatoes, corn, and peas. 



Getting new varieties of potatoes is a much easier matter than most people 

 suppose. Treat them in the spring as you Avould tomato plants. In raising 

 about six hundred new seedlings this past season, one of them yielded in the 

 first year eight pounds of good potatoes, and many single plants gave what would 

 be called a good yield for potatoes planted in the ordinary way. Every man 

 ought to try, at least once, and raise some new varieties of potatoes. For a 

 fuller account see page 117 of this report. 



Selection and good treatment give good results, but they are less permanent 

 than crosses. Select the best hybrids, judiciously cross and select and combine 

 for the best results, giving uniformly good culture. There is ample scope for 

 great skill and i^rofound judgment in making these combinations. The man 

 who engages in it is quite sure of a reward, besides he is a true benefactor. 



Mr. Heniy, quoted previously, says, "As to fruits, I entertain the belief that 

 we are on the eve of a revolution," and I may add that in grains the field seems 

 even more promising; and yet the millenium will probably never come, at least 

 for fruits and grains. AVe may approach nearer to it, but the future wall likely 

 bring greater deterioration of the soil, more diseases of plants, and a greater 

 number of weeds and troublesome insects. Even in the Genesee valley, fruits 

 of excellent quality are not raised in quantity sutficient to supply a demand. 



DISCUSSION. 



Prof. Trac}', of Old Mission, said, "I planted a seed of variegated corn at 

 quite a distance from any other corn. It raised a stalk with a variegated leaf, 

 but produced no ear or any grain except a few imperfect kernels on the tassel." 



Mr. Clyde. — I have experimented for about thirty years in regard to raising 

 a single stalk of corn where it could not be impregnated with the pollen from 

 other corn, and it never perfected grain in any such case. 



Judge Ramsdell. — Mr. Hannaford sprinkled half of his orchard with slacked 

 lime. The codling moth did not appear where the lime was used, but were in 

 abundance where it was not used. Do you regard it as certain tliat the lime 

 destroyed the moth? 



Prof. Beal — I should regard it as uncertain. The moths may have been 

 destroyed, or they may simply have been driven to choose the trees on which the 

 lime was not used. 



