V. THE BEARING OF NATURAL CROSS-FERTILIZATION 

 ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF INDIAN CROPS. 



The extent to which natural cross-fertilization occurs in India 

 is of great importance to and is closely bound up with the improve- 

 ment of the crops of the country. The extent to which natural 

 crossing takes place largely determines the methods which can be 

 adopted in improving a crop, it influences the introduction of exot- 

 ics, the testing of varieties and the distribution of seed to cultiv- 

 ators. In taking up any crop therefore the first condition for 

 successful work is a study of the method of pollination and the 

 extent to which natural crossing takes place. Based on accurate 

 information on these m.atters the application of correct methods 

 of improvement is almost bound to lead to success. It is proposed 

 to discuss briefly the precise bearing of the facts brought forward 

 in the present paper on the choice of the methods of improvement, 

 on the introduction of exotics, on the testing of varieties and also 

 on seed distribution. 



The significance of natural crossing from the systematic 

 standpoint must not be forgotten. It is obvious that great care 

 must be exercised in assigning a varietal position to any aberrant 

 forms met with unless they have been shown to breed true from 

 seed. In many cases where natural crossing occurs, these forms 

 are likely to be mere Mendelian combinations of the characters 

 of two existing species or varieties which in tlie next generations 

 w6uld give rise to a large series of forms.' 



1 Since this paper was written some iuterefsting observations on tliis subject have been 

 made in England by Henry {Gardeners ChvonlcJr, Apr. 23 and 30, 19 JO). This investigator 

 has shown that many aberrant forms of forest trees which were formerly regarded as varieties 

 or even as distinct species are notliing more than first crosses. 



