472 REPORT OF THE CONFERENCE ON GENETICS. 
HYBRIDS. 
In our experiments in hybridising othér hardy fruits, we have been 
successful in raising some rather interesting plants. 
(1) We have a hybrid raised from a Japanese Plum x Peach. This 
gives what appears to be a combination of characters in foliage, at any 
rate, intermediate between the two parents, and we rather anxiously await 
the fruit (fig. 131). 
(2) Japanese Plum x Moorpark Apricot gives us also what appears 
to be a combination of characters of the twoespecies (fig. 180). 
(8) Greengage Plum x Moorpark Apricot also with the combination 
of characters of both parents in the foliage. 
The modus operandi in crossing the above is similar to the straw- 
berry: that is, the anthers of the bloom to be crossed are cut out whilst 
yet the bloom is in the bud stage, the pollen of the selected male parent 
being immediately applied, and once or twice afterwards; all insects 
being as far as possible excluded. 
In the case of stone fruits such as peaches, plums, &e., the pulp 
should be removed from the stone immediately the fruit is ripe, otherwise 
if it is allowed to remain we find the kernel inside the stone will not 
keep, but soon becomes mouldy and rotten. The kernel is sown at once, 
and germinates the following spring. It is then budded on a congenial 
stock, and in the following season is potted up. From the time the cross 
is effected to the fruiting stage takes about five or six years. 
LOGAN-BERRY CROSSES. 
The Logan-berry, an American fruit, said to be a hybrid between the 
raspberry and the blackberry (which parentage we feel is doubtful), has 
been recrossed again with various English Raspberries in order to secure, 
if possible, the elimination of the hard core, so objectionable in the 
Logan-berry, and at the same time to improve the flavour of the fruit. 
In this we have entirely succeeded, having selected a seedling bearing 
the characters of the Logan-berry, except that the fruit is an enlarged 
form of ‘ Superlative ’ Raspberry. 
PyRUS JAPONICA CROSSES. 
We have attempted many crosses between Pyrus japonica and various 
cultivated forms of Pyrus communis, the object being to secure, if possible, 
a red-flowered pear. At present our seedlings are not old enough to 
bloom, but appearances suggest that the cross has been effective. 
APPLES AND PuuMs. 
We have made many crosses between all the best varieties, but at 
present have not fruited many, and as good varieties are so numerous we 
are resolved to destroy all that are not improvements. We find that the 
seedlings (the result of crossing some of our best varieties of apples) 
show a great tendency to revert to a “wild” and “spiny” growth 
sesembling the crab in habit; probably this arises from the “ spiny”’ 
