A418 REPORT OF THE CONFERENCE ON GENETICS. 
AMERICAN FLORISTS’ IDEALS. 
By J. H. Troy, of New York, U.S.A. 
Apart from the academic interest in plant-breeding, the mere raising of 
new varieties and types for their own sake or for the sake of scientific 
study and determination of relationships between different groups of 
plants, there is an intensely practical side of the question. Upon our 
side of the Atlantic this aspect of plant-breeding receives a far greater 
consideration than does the other. We may be even too practical in 
America. At all events our plant-breeders set out with extremely high 
ideals. It is not an excuse for the introduction of a new form that it is 
merely different from other things ; from our ultra-utilitarian standpoint 
we insist that it shall be better. It is for this reason that economic crops 
have received and are receiving such close attention from our Government 
Department of Agriculture. The entire force of that organisation which 
embraces men of high scientific attainments is devoted to the production 
of plants which will meet and overcome conditions of practical horticulture 
and agriculture which may indeed be regarded as national problems. The 
whole energy of this expert staff is bent towards combining the better 
qualities of the different plants into one new type that shall be vastly 
superior to anything that has been had before. For instance, we seek for 
disease-resistant varieties which will put into the hands of the cultivator 
the means of livelihood that is at present barred. 
This Conference is being made familiar with the details of the depart- 
ment’s work through another member who represents our national 
Government ; but the problem before so vast a territory as the United 
States embraces many plants and crops which are outside the scope of 
staple foodstuffs and agricultural field crops. There is the esthetic 
phase of plant-growing in which the work is being carried on slowly, 
silently, by isolated individuals, as purely business propositions, and 
without any subsidy from scientific institutions or national funds. The 
florists of America have not been behind their brethren in the Old World. 
We have already made great strides in the production of new and distinct 
ornamental plants. Some of the fruits of these efforts are not unknown 
to English horticulture. The American carnation, developed by pure 
process of breeding from the European type of flower, has already 
recrossed the ocean and is receiving favourable attention at your hands. 
Its distinctive characteristics are familiar to you in such varieties as 
‘Enchantress,’ which you receive as a type of the American carnation. In 
roses our florists and gardeners have made distinct advances along 
lines quite different from those followed out by the Old World raisers, and 
in your trade catalogues at this time a few of these are found, but their 
source of origin is unannounced. When the Crimson Rambler and - 
Wichuraiana rose reached our shores some dozen years ago, they were 
seized upon by many cultivators, were blended, and an entirely new race 
of what may be called rambler hybrids was originated. 
Cs 
