The following paper by E. G. Hill was read by P. O'Mara: 



ON BREEDING FLORISTS' FLOWERS 



E. G. Hill, Richmond, Ind. 



I have seldom taken up a subject with more rehictance than the one 

 assigned me for this paper — not that I am unwiHing to contribute to the 

 interest of this meeting and to further the purpose of this congress, which 

 is a most praiseworthy one; but my data are so meagre, and the results 

 obtained so different from those aimed at, that I shrink from detailing them. 

 I have had a good deal of experience and have persevered in spite of many 

 disappointments in cross-fertilizing roses, carnations, chrysanthemums, gera- 

 niums and begonias, as well as other plants ; but it is no exaggeration to 

 state that out of many thousands of carefully fertilized seedlings in the 

 classes named the percentage showing adviincement over the seed parents 

 has been very small indeed. 



The hybridizer tries before effecting a cross to picture in his mind the 

 result of a union between the varieties that he selects ; for the seed parent he 

 chooses perhaps a variety with a flower of ideal form for florists' purposes ; 

 the color also is fine, but it has the defects, it may be, of a weak constitution 

 or an ungainly habit, or other fault ; he is so desirous of perpetuating the fine 

 form and lovely color while securing vigor of growth that he selects a 

 strong, shapely grower with as many other good qualities as possible for the 

 pollen parent, hoping to secure progeny as near perfection as possible; he 

 has reason to expect an approximate realization of his pictured seedling. 

 What are the results? Not one in a thousand, probably, shows traces of the 

 ideal that he had in mind. Occasionally, however, a seedling plant approach- 

 ing the ideal will appear among the multitude germinated, and if this fittest 

 progeny be again selected and persistently crossed back upon the original 

 varieties used, the chances are that the end aimed at will be realized in 

 course of time. 



I would not discourage any one who is enthusiastically expecting early 

 results: on the contrary, I would urge him to persevere; it is not impossible 

 that among his first efforts he may secure the ideal that he has in mind. I 

 am inclined to think that it will be a rare stroke of good fortune, however, 

 should this occur. 



Among the rose hybridizers — and they are legion — the results realized 

 are far from what we might seem to have the right to expect. It is some 

 twenty-eight years since the noted variety, Catherine Alermet, was raised, 

 and, aside from its two sports, there is certainly no tea rose to dispute its 



