42 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



be weakened. In the fruit, it is in the seed; that is not the part we mar- 

 ket, but without perfect seedlings there can never be perfect fruit, and 

 our best growers today are convinced that, even with the varieties that 

 are self-fertile, they secure better results by having the presence of some 

 other plants of the same species near by, so that the intermingling of 

 pollen may take place, giving a stronger seed and thereby securing a 

 stronger and better fruit. The blossoms on a whole tree are practically 

 one blossom; they are alike; the stamens on one are just as useful to the 

 pistils of that blossom as the stamens of another, and no more; but some 

 other variety, adjoining, may be very valuable to that blossom; and, as 

 I say, they prefer cross-fertilization with another variety. At least, it 

 produces better results. We understand that, all of us who have had 

 anything to do with animal breeding and it applies just the same to the 

 plants and fruits. Mr. Kellogg exploited the idea at Grand Rapids, that 

 a tree knew its friends; had sensibilities. That is a pretty theory, but, 

 literally speaking, it is impossible. But it is a good idea to get into 

 your head, because trees and plants do respond to your care, commencing 

 with the day you plant; and if you have these idealistic notions there is 

 no question but your results will be better. Pollenization is a matter 

 that people are coming to be very much interested in, because it is so 

 little understood, and the possibilities seem to be so great. There is 

 no question but excessive pollenization is weakening. Mr. Reid spoke 

 of the Osage muskmelon, which I worked on myself. It was before I 

 knew half so much as I have learned since, and the work was done in a 

 crude manner; it was simply by planting two varieties together, and 

 allowing the insects to do the pollenization, and making a selection from 

 what resulted, and following up that selection. Finally, when it did not 

 please me, I went all through that process again, with this cross-breed- 

 ing. That is the difference between cross-breeding and hybridization. 

 The mule is a hybrid, but the Percheron and a trotting horse may be 

 cross-bred. This was a matter of simply cross-breeding, with already 

 well-established varieties. The first melon used was known as Miller's 

 Cream. I don't know how that was secured. Then there was a little 

 yellow-tlesh melon that was brought from the Osage river section, in 

 southwestern Missouri, found in the hands of a Swedish gardener there, 

 by a neighbor of mine; he kept some of the seeds because it was delicious, 

 and brought it back with him. The Orange Christiana was the third 

 melon used. We began with Orange Christiana and Miller's Cream. 

 Selection goes a good way in building up anything, just about as far 

 as cross-fertilization. You know what you can do with any vegetable by 

 selection; but that leads us off to another field that would occupy us a 

 day, and every minute be valuable. 



Mr. Brassington : Have you discovered that some varieties are weaker 

 in pollenization than others? 



Mr. Morrill: Peaches are the best able to take care of themselves of 

 anything I know of. 



Mr. Tower: What about the Wild Goose plum? How do vou fertilize 

 it? 



Mr. Morriil : Give it up. I don't think it is worth f etilizing any way. 

 It can be, but the only way is to select any plum that blossoms and casts 



