GENERAL FRUITS. 255 



conditions of soil and climate. Since that time progress has been rapid, 

 and the new varieties, such as Parker Earle, Warfleld and Bubach No. 5, 

 illustrate the great advantage and importance of applying this principle. 

 So for the far Northwest we should begin with the local type of the wild 

 strawberry and improve it by ucing the pollen of our largest and best 

 flavored cultivated strawberries. 



Intermediate work. — In crossing species it may be that there is too 

 great diversity in character between the parents; if in hardiness, the 

 resulting seedlings will lack in that essential point; if too diverse 

 botanically, the cross will be too violent, and the hybrids will lack in 

 fertility. In either case, these first hybrids may be useful as intermediate 

 steps in the work of development. By pollenizing the hardy species with 

 these hybrids, the offspring will be of three-fourths hardy, and one-fourth 

 tender pedigree. These secondary hybrids will probably be superior to 

 those of the first generation, because of the nearer relationship of the 

 parents. 



As work in this line, we have pollenized Worden and other hardy 

 grapes, not with European grapes as did Rogers, but with Agawam, Salem 

 and other Rogers' Hybrids, thereby securing a smaller infusion of tender 

 blood. We thus hope to combine hardiness and high quality. 



Methods.— The above is but a glance at some of the leading thoughts 

 underlying the extensive series of experiments in breeding fruits, inaugu- 

 rated at the Iowa Agricultural College in 1866 by Prof. J. L. Budd, and 

 continued up to the present time. 



In this connection it may be of interest to describe briefly the methods 

 of doing the work. About twenty-four hours before the flower opens the 

 stamens are carefully removed with a pair of fine forceps or pinchers, 

 such as are used in botanical laboratory work. Part or all of the petals 

 are removed to give easier access to the stamens. In practice, only the 

 anthers are removed, leaving most of the filaments. For convenience, 

 only two flowers in each cluster of apple, pear, cherry or plum blossoms 

 are operated upon; the others are removed. Blossoms on a strong spur are 

 preferred to those on the end of a limb. The blossoms are at once pro- 

 tected from insects and foreign pollen by means of a one-pound manilla 

 paper sack, with bottom squared so it will stand on a level surface. Fine 

 wire, such as is used for tree labels, is best for fastening the sacks. As 

 soon as the stigmas are receptive, so that the pollen will adhere, which is 

 usually the next day, the sack is removed, pollen applied with a camel's 

 hair brush and the sack replaced. In a few days the paper sacks are re- 

 placed by sacks made of mosquito netting, so as to give access to sunshine 

 and air. 



Paper sacks are not fully satisfactory. We have found fine muslin sacks 

 more reliable, especially in wet seasons. In case of wet or windy weather 

 the paper sacks are liable to be torn, and, if not torn, they hold the mois- 

 ture too long. 



To save pollen the blossoms are gathered as soon as open, before the 

 anthers have burst and discharged the pollen. The anthers are picked 

 off with the pinchers, and thoroughly dried before putting in a small vial 

 or cup or even in an envelope open at one end. A small vial is best. 

 When thoroughly dried, pollen may be sent across the continent in an 

 envelope. Keep in a dry, warm place. The same brush should not be 

 used for more than one kind of pollen. 



