THE STRAWBERRY QUESTION REVIEWED. 



163 



variety of strawberries which we have ex- 

 amined, the organs of both sexes are al- 

 ways present, though in different degrees ; 

 yet in some instances, one or the other is so 

 partially deficient in number and size, as to 

 be imperceptible to the naked eye. The 

 cuts accompanying the last number of the 

 Cultivator, give a correct delineation of those 

 organs when examined by a microscope, and 

 plainly show how much they differ in length, 

 size, and form, in distinct plants even of the 

 same class. When raised from the seed, 

 the plants have distinct and different orga- 

 nization. Some may be so far destitute of 

 pistils as to be sterile, or have them in so 

 imperfect a form as to possess but little fer- 

 tilizing power. Others may have them in 

 such a degree as occasionally to produce 

 small and indifferent fruit ; others may have 

 a better proportion, but still not be uniform- 

 ly productive ; and others may be so far 

 destitute of stamens, as to be wholly unpro- 

 ductive without the aid of staminate plants, 

 and may be more or less productive, as the 

 staminate plants used with them differ more 

 or less in the development of their fertiliz- 

 ing qualities. We see no reason to doubt 

 [the existence] of any variety of strawber- 

 ries, since the proportion of both organs 

 varies so much in different plants, that a 

 plant may be produced having the organs 

 equally well proportioned, and thus be per- 

 fect.* If it should not be selected and kept 

 by itself, but cultivated with other seedlings 

 raised with it, horticulturists would differ as 

 to the character of the new variety from 

 cultivating beds more or less fruitful, and 

 having plants of a different organization. 



* Here our correspondent is perfectly correct in his views. 

 What are called male and female strawberry plants, or stami- 

 uate and pistillate, are not so, strictly speakin;?, like those of 

 real dioecious plants, such as the Osage Orange and the Buffalo 

 Berry ; but only apparently so, as we stated in our work on 

 Fruits. The organs are always present in all strawberry blos- 

 soms ; but in wliat appear to be pistillate blossoms the stamens 

 are only rudimentary, or partially developed, and vie* versa- Ed. 



We examined blossoms of the Hovey's 

 Seedling last spring, and whilst we found a 

 large share of the blossoms undoubtedly 

 pistillate, we also found a few differing from 

 the pistillate form, yet not so much as to 

 constitute what we should suppose to be 

 perfect flowers. 



Whether every variety was perfect in its 

 normal state is one question, and whether a 

 perfect plant changes is another ; and what 

 varieties are perfect, and what otherwise, is 

 also another subject of inquiry. 



That certain varieties have a tendency, 

 when highly cultivated, to v^ry from their 

 normal state, seems to us very improbable. 

 Our Avild species produce flowers both sta- 

 minate and pistillate, whether springing up 

 in rich or poor soil, whether growing upon 

 the barren hill-side or the fertile meadow. 

 When the seeds of strawberries are sown, 

 plants are produced of each description. 

 This fact is shown by the experiments of 

 LiNDLEY,and, we are confident, would be con- 

 firmed by the experience of everj' observing 

 cultivator, who has had occasion to test it. 



The condition of the soil has nothing 

 to do with this natural difl^erence of or- 

 ganization. Why high cultivation should 

 not produce the same effect with every va- 

 riety equally productive, according to their 

 organic strength, we are at a loss to deter- 

 mine.* The Large Early Scarlet, for instance, 

 which in the article in the Horticulturist, is 



* We fear this is the reasoning of a special pleader, rather 

 than that of a scientific investigator. Our correspondent, if ho 

 pursue his examinations further into the kingdom of nature, 

 win "be at a loss to determine" the cause of many unex- 

 plained anomalies. The Pear, the Apple, and the Quince, are 

 all nearly allied in structure — so much so as to be considered 

 as belonging to one genus, by the older botanists. Why is it 

 that three thousand years of cultivation, which has transformed 

 the crab and the chnlcc-pear into so many hundred delicious va- 

 rieties, has not yet had the effect of making a single sort of 

 quince a really eatable fruit ? Why is it that bog earth will cause 

 the flowers of one species of Hydrangea to change to a fine blue, 

 and not affect those of any other ? The Boston Nectarine was 

 raised from a peach stone ; why does not every peach stone 

 produce a nectarine ? — Ed. 



