44 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



sorts, although the bulk of the stock was poor and there were some sorts 

 which were plainly crossed with some brighter colored sort. We selected 

 three of the best sorts and set them out in 1887. There were no other carrots 

 seeded within two miles. The seed was sown in 1887 and the product varied 

 greatly, many of the sorts being light colored and the whole looking like the 

 stock from which the selection was made much more than like the selection 

 from which they were grown. Was not this a case of bad blood? 



In 1884 we selected a plant of black wax beans, planted the seed in pots 

 early in 1885, and then transplanted into the open ground, so that they came 

 into bloom earlier than any other plants in town. The plants all gave fine 

 wax pods, and the seed was saved and planted in 1886, and produced quite a 

 number of green-podded plants. Was not this due to blood? 



I might give such instances by the score, and they occur so frequently in 

 my experience that I am as thoroughly convinced that fixity of type, result- 

 ing from a long ancestry of uniform character, is just as possible in plants as 

 in animals, but that it is only by careful attention to the same principles of 

 breeding that are observed in animals that we can hope to reach the best 

 result. 



Prof. Beal reminded that the progeny of crossing will partake chiefly of the 

 character of the more vigorous and thoroughbred parent. 



Thos. Wilde related the result of sowing seed of a strain of green lettuce. 

 Three-fourths of the product were yellow, and from this he concludes that 

 at some time there was a yellow strain used in its production. 



Prof. Beal and Mr. Tracy agreed that what are called "sports" are only 

 the re-appearance of a strain which was present in the original breeding. 



FOR COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



Mr. E. H. Scott made some remarks concerning appointment of a new Com- 

 missioner of Agriculture by President-elect Harrison, and read a letter from 

 Senator Thos. W. Palmer, who had been mentioned in connection with that 

 office, saying he would not accept it if offered. Mr. Scott moved that this 

 society request the president-elect to nominate, in due time as he shall see fit, 

 Mr. J. S. Woodard of Lockport, N. Y., for Commissioner of Agriculture, our 

 president-elect to so memorialize Mr. Harrison. Messrs. Beal, Garfield, and 

 others spoke in favor of the motion and it was carried unanimously. 



THE m'INTOSH apple. 



The secretary read a letter from Mr. S. D. Willard of Geneva, N. Y., ex- 

 pressing regret for his necessary absence, his regard for all the members, and 

 closing thus, with respect to a desirable sort of apple : ''Tell your men who 

 want a choice early winter apple to try Mcintosh Red. I know nothing equal 

 to it for productiveness and quality here. It had its origin in Canada and is 

 a trifle like Fameuse. We sold our fruit of it for $2.50 per barrel." 



SOME SUGGESTIONS FROM ADRIAN". 



Mr. D. G. Edmiston of Adrian sent the following letter concerning several 

 of the topics of the programme : 



