200 PLANT-BREEDING. LESSONS WITH PLANTS. 



sopby of variation ; II. The philosophy of the crossing of^ plants, 

 considered in reference to their improvement under cultivation ; 

 III. How domestic varieties originate ; IV. Borrowed opinions ; 

 V. Pollination; or how to cross plants. 



The author begins by insisting on the fact of individuality — the 

 attribute of every living object. No two plants in a row of lettuce 

 are alike ; that is to say, plants are infinitely variable. This being 

 the case, it is not strange if now and then some departure, more 

 marked than common, is named and becomes a garden variety. 

 Nature knows nothing about species; her concern is with the 

 individual, the ultimate unit. As to what is this unit, Prof. Bailey 

 is happy in his comparison of animal and plant. Every higher 

 animal is itself a unit; the plant has no distinct autonomy. " The 

 ultimate unit or individual in growing plants is the bud and the bit 

 of wood or tissue to which it is attached; for every bud, hke every 

 seed, produces an offspring which can be distinguished from every 

 other offspring whatsoever." Four causes of individual differences 

 are suggested. Fortuitous variation, the expression of the elasticity 

 which is a part of tlie essential constitution of all living beings ; sex, 

 the existence of which is explained by "the need for a constant 

 rejuvenation and modification of the off'spring by uniting the features 

 of two individuals into one"; changes in physical environment; 

 and the struggle for existence, in which " plants have adapted them- 

 selves to other plants as truly as they have adapted themselves to 

 soil or climate." 



The lecture on plant-breeding comprises fifteen rules which are 

 to be observed if the best results are desired. These rules are an 

 application of the principles laid down and discussed in the previous 

 chapters. Prof. Bailey has a great advantage in being able to 

 illustrate so many of his statements with the results of his own 

 experiments. Those on crossing are especially extensive, and his 

 concluding chapter on the technique of pollination is a useful 

 addition. That it is a subject demanding some patience and perse- 

 verance is evident from the author's remarks on "Uncertainties of 

 Pollination," and the racy account of his own attempt, and failure, 

 to improve the pumpkin with the common little pear-shaped gourd. 



After reading his book on Plant-Breeding we expect something 

 original from Prof. Bailey, even if it is only a text-book for 

 beginners ; and, fortunately, its very moderate price should ensure 

 as extensive a use of his Lessons uith Plants as we could wish. 

 The book is indeed a very cheap one, for it simply overflows 

 with bold useful drawings made expressly for it by Mr. W. S. 

 Holdsworth, while the print is as large and clear as in a child's 

 reading-book, and the general get-up is worthy of Messrs. Mac- 

 millan. The title aptly expresses the nature of the contents. 

 They are just the kind of Lessons that an ideal teacher would 

 evolve for himself from the plants. But there are so few ideal 

 teachers, and a large majority will welcome Prof. Bailey as a guide, 

 and having first worked out the Lessons for themselves, will find little 

 difficulty in expanding and extending them. And if it should happen 

 that certain specimens are not to be procured or substitutes to be 



