65 



the progeny resulting from crossing was so variable as to give nearly as 

 many types as there were individuals. New characters continually appeared 

 in the second and third generations, and the confusion became so great 

 that the experi . ent was abandoned. Another experiment was described, 

 in which one of the small ornamental pear gourds was crossed with pollen 

 from the typical Connecticut pumpkin. From the seed secured, 39 plants 

 resulted and no two fruits were identical Nineteen forms were found that 

 were fairly well marked, and these were described as types. In all the 

 experiments seedlessness seemed to be a common trait of crossed cucurbits, 

 or if seed were produced they were ordinarily sterile. An attempt was 

 made to reciprocally cross Cucurhita pepo, C. maxima, and C. moschata. 

 Only 3 fruits were obtained, and thoso, species hybrids, were between C. 

 pepo and moschata. The progeny grown from these seed were more uni- 

 form in character than those obtained by crosses in the varieties of C. pepo. 

 Continuing this work through a number of generations, the moschata type 

 entirely disappeared and the plants were to all appearances G. pepo 



Eesults of Hybridization and Plant Breeding in Cana<la was the title of 

 a paper presented by William Saunders, director of the Canada Experi- 

 mental Farms. He gave a brief resume of 40 years' work in Canada along 

 the line of production of new varieties of fruits, cereals, etc. His work 

 with wheat, oats, barley, and various fruits was described, the methods of 

 manipulation being given in considerable detail. Specimens wei-e exhi- 

 bited which showed the results of a number of the crosses. Among them 

 were crosses of Pyrus baccata with several varieties of Eussian apples, 

 of different species of barberry, of gooseberry and black currant, of 

 Pyvus mauUi and P. japonica, and of various cereals. 



During an evening session a number of papers were presented which 

 were illustrated by specially preparcl lantern slides. The first of these 

 was by VV. B. Allwood, of Virginia Station, in which an account was given 

 of investigations in wine fermentation. The selection, propagation, and 

 uses of pure cultures of yeasts in wine and cider making, and in brewing 

 and distillins:, were considered and the different methods of elimination 

 and of cultivation described. Graphics were shown of the action of various 

 wine ferments upon grape must. 



The second illustrated paper was by VV. Van Fleet, of Little Silver, 

 New Jersey, on Hybridizing Gladiolus Species. In growing Gladioli, only 

 summer-blooming varieties with good winter-keeping corms are desired in 

 this country. Hybrids of large flowered species seldom prove valuble in 

 the first generation but seem to improve in subsequent ones. Many species 

 hybrids have been produced but few have proved of intrinsic value. As a 

 rule, Gladioli do not grow well in clay. Sandy soil with an underlying of 

 peat, if kept well wet, is the best soil for their growth. A number of hy- 

 brids were exhibited, one of which (Princeps) was said to have a flower- 

 ing period of nearly 5 weeks, 4 or o of the huge flowers succeeding each 

 other until the entire spike has blossomel. This same phenomenon occurs 

 when flower stalks are cut and placed in water, if the water is frequently 

 changed. During 16 years of active hybridizing, in which a number of 

 species were used for breeding purposes andmoro than 150,000 seedlings 

 produced, many new commercial varieties would have been expected, and 

 although there were many promising novelties only 2, Princeps and Lord 

 Fairfax have been thought worthy of naming and commercial introduction. 



The paper of C. W. Ward, of Queens, Long Island, on breeding Florists' 

 Flowers was also illustrated by lantern slides. He gave the results of 12 

 years' work in the hybridizing of carnations. His work has been confined 

 to 8 types of stock which were based on color differences. These have been 



