CREATION OF AN IMPROVED VARIETY OF CROCUS SATIVUS. 275 
CREATION OF AN IMPROVED VARIETY OF CROCUS SATIVUS. 
By Monsieur PAuL CHAPPELLIER. 
In addition to the question of improvements in culture, there is another 
which is of interest, although it hardly comes within the province of 
the small Saffron-grower, it is that of the improvement of the species of 
Saffron itself. 
There have been created, especially in these later times, and there 
are still created every day, innumerable varieties of all useful or decorative 
plants, wheat, cereals, beetroot, potatos, pears, apples, roses, dahlias, 
chrysanthemums, &c. As for the Saffron, there is only known a single 
and unique species; for ages it has not produced a single variety. 
This question has occupied me much, and although, so far, I have 
only arrived at a half result, I think it may be of service if I explain, with 
some details, what I have done in this direction. Those who might 
desire to follow me in this line of investigation may find in these notes 
some useful indications, if even they only serve to prevent running upon 
the rocks which I have encountered more than once. 
Since 1844 this idea has occupied me. I commenced by importing 
a number of bulbs from the several countriesin which this industry is still 
carried on: Carpentras, Naples, Athens, Austria, Hungary, and Spain 
especially. Later I have been able to obtain some from Anatolia, 
Cashmere, and China. 
The appearance of these bulbs differs appreciably from ours ; a variety 
could easily be believed in, and the beauty of the flowers of some among 
them on their first blooming seemed to justify this hope, but it was 
nothing—the superiority diminished in the following seasons and dis- 
appeared at the end of a few years. The different appearance was due 
without doubt to the transitory influence of a cultivation and a climate 
differing from ours. 
In default of an existing variety, it was necessary to devote oneself to 
the creation of one. The means is known—sowing and selection. 
Unfortunately, the Saffron yields no seed—at least so it has been 
always believed. I had, however, heard it declared that a capsule had 
been gathered formerly (at Eserennes), and furthermore the organs which 
should co-operate in the fecundation and fructification are so well 
developed and formed! stamens, stigmas, pollen, and ovary. 
Desiring to be clear about this, I advertised about 1850 that I would 
pay a good price for seed—five francs each for the first. Induced by this 
offer, the Saffron-growers set to work at the harvesting time, and from 1850 
to 1858 they found and brought me a certain number of seeds. The fact, 
being a rarity, I reported it in 1858 at the local meeting at Orleans. 
Twenty years later, about 1873, I again roused the attention of 
growers by the offer of money prizes—and they. brought me once again a 
certain quantity of capsules. Rm 
Of the seeds only a small number are fertile, and the plants which: 
r2 
