210 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Crossing is said to not only combine characters, but to separate them. 

 Among flowers as ordinarily listed in catalogues, there is usually the 

 ordinary wild color as well as a white form, with various intermediates. 

 If a cross be made between the Avhite form and some of the interme- 

 diates, the resultant hybrids will fall into types, some of which return 

 to the original color. The color variations and reversions produced 

 by various crossings were shown ])y illustrations of well-known varie- 

 ties. It is said to be possible to split up and produce new colors by 

 crossing the original or wild color with any of the white forms. The 

 results obtained usually follow the principles laid down in Mendel's 

 law. A nura])or of instances were cited in which it is shown possible 

 to produce atavism artiticially. 



In commenting upon this paper, Professor Bateson stated that he 

 believed synthesis in plant ])reeding, although sometimes apparent, is 

 not truly possible. A compound character consisting of 3 or more 

 components, he believes, can not be recomposed from its original forms. 



Some Suggestions for Plant Breeding were made in a paper by Max 

 Leichtlin, of Baden-Baden, Austria, which was read. In crossing 

 plants the author states that the selection of a suitable time for cross- 

 ing is of first importance. A warm, cloudy day offei's the ])est con- 

 ditions for about (JO per cent of plants. For some a dr}" atmosphere 

 is best as it more nearly represents the conditions of their original 

 habitat. Fertilization should not be attempted before the stigmas are 

 in proper condition. This can ho easily recognized after some prac- 

 tice. The pollen should be neither too fresh nor overripe. After apply- 

 ing the pollen to the stigma in many cases it will ])e found advantageous 

 to cover the flower with a hand glass or some similar means for a day 

 or two to give a higher temperature than that of the surrounding air. 

 The pollen of man}- plants, if in good condition, can be kept in small 

 glass vessels, well corked, for several days without losing its fecunda- 

 ting power. Whether fertilization is possible or not can be easily ascer- 

 tained b}' a microscoi)ical examination of the forms of pollen grains. 

 If their forms are fairly constant the pollen will do for fertilization, 

 but if markedly difi'erent its use for this purpose is impossible. The 

 prepotency of sex was shown by the statement that in 8 cases out of 

 10 the female parent has the greatest influence on the progeny. The 

 staminate parent usuallj^ controls the color of the offspring, and in 

 most cases the hybrid i)lants have larger flowers than those possessed 

 by either parent. 



In the discussion following this paper a number of interesting facts 

 were brought out relative to the vitality of pollen. The president of 

 the society stated that the pollen of tomatoes would retain its vitality 

 for fully () months, as shown by the common practice of gathering pollen 

 during the late sunmier and fall months from plants grown out of 

 doors, for use in fertilizing tomatoes grown under glass during the 



