PLANT BREEDING AND HYBRIDIZATION. 211 



winter. According- to anotlicr statement, grape pollen retains its A^tal- 

 it}" for full}^ 2 months, and the date palm for a year or more. Carna- 

 tion pollen may be kept in closely stoppered vials for several weeks, and 

 may be shipped from one part of the country to another. In prepar- 

 ing pollen for keeping, it should be thoroughl}' dried and placed in 

 closely stoppered bottles. For plants grown in moist climates the dry- 

 ing should be done in the shade; for those growing in arid regions, it 

 may be more quickly dried in the sun. It Avas stated that pollen of 

 certain plants is commonly distributed through the West Indies on dry 

 blotting paper inclosed in i:)asteboard boxes. In this way its vitality 

 is retained for more than 3 weeks. 



A paper giving Some Suggestions for the Classification of Hybrids, 

 prepared by I. T. Lj'nch, curator of the Botanic Garden, Cambridge, 

 England, showed the desirabilit}^ of the classification of all results, so 

 that reference can be had to previous Avork. A plan previously pub- 

 lished by the author in the Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society 

 of London, vol. 25, was briefl}' outlined. Investigators often want 

 to know what plants have been found to respond in a certain way, or 

 they may desire to reobserve from a new point of view, or carr}^ 

 further results in which they may be interested. This was cited to 

 show the importance of classifying all experimental results, and action 

 of the conference along this line was recommended. The writer 

 requested that he be furnished with accounts of hybrids which at 

 first were nearly barren and afterwards became fertile; also of hybrids 

 which are less fertile than either of their parents. He also asked that 

 suggestions be sent him regarding different sj^stems of classification. 

 In general, he proposes the classification of hybrids based upon their 

 behavior, rather than upon the classification of natural orders, genera, 

 or species. 



The Principles of Plant Breeding were discussed in a paper by 

 Luther Burbank, of Santa Rosa, California. The two influences or 

 forces which control plant and animal breeding are heredity and 

 environment. To guide the interaction of these two forces is the sole 

 object of the breeder, whether of plants or of animals. A general 

 knowledge of the relations and affinities of plants is not suflicient for 

 the successful plant breeder. He must be a skillful biologist, and, 

 having a definite plan, must be able to correctly estimate the action of 

 the inherent and external forces which he would control. A plant 

 breeder before attempting to make new combinations should select 

 with great care the individual plants which seem best adapted to his 

 purpose. This requires an exceedingly keen perception of minute 

 differences, great patience, and extreme care in treating the organisms 

 operated upon. This applies more particularly to annuals or those 

 plants generally produced by seed. In breeding perennials the first 

 deviations from the original form are often of an almost unappreciable 



