210 HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NEW YORK. 



as Prince Camille de Rohan and Baron de Bonstettin. In the producticn of 

 Philadelphia and Pillar of Fire, I became hopeful, and more so when later, 

 Duke of Marlborough, Black Prince and Cherokee came into existence 

 through my efforts along that line. The Duke had the most interesting 

 history, as being the production of a very inferior seedling, which had nothing 

 to recommend it except its dark color. Its pollen used on Philadelphia pro- 

 duced the Duke of Marlborough. In working for solid color, I managed io 

 produce a great many shades and combinations of colors found in such va- 

 rieties as Lorraine, Niagara, Conqueror, Schley, Duke of York, Striped 

 Beauty and a host of others, most of which were thrown into the mixture 

 after they were tested for a couple of seasons. Alsace, the nearest to a white 

 canna, although small, was useful in massing, and is now extensively dis- 

 seminated. It was produced in 1894. From its pollen I produced Montano, 

 Starlight and quite a number of seedlings of little value, and only useful for 

 breeding. At last I produced one which proved superior, and it was named 

 Mt. Blanc. It was almost pure white, with full-sized flowers produced on 

 strong, vigorous, erect stalks, carried well above its rich, massive foliage. 

 The habit of r)lant is vigorous and of good constitution. 



In the Canna indica section we had very little variety in colors. After 

 crossing these for several years, I oroduced jNIt. Etna, Queen of Holland, 

 Shenandoah, Evolution. These are I'iving us a wider range of colors. The 

 last named is proving very hardy and vigorous. Its odd color, a blending of 

 orange, salmon and yellow, making a hue contrast with its rich bronze 

 foliage. To produce the different colors and types mentioned, it was neces- 

 sary for me to do a considerable amount of hand hybridizing. This work was 

 done at odd times when conditions were favorable, generally in early morn- 

 ing. We tisually plant from four Inmdred to live hundred of these seedlings 

 in the field annually in June. The seed is started under glass in April, and 

 germinates quickly. When they show two leaves they are potted into 2^ 

 or 3-inch pots. The majority of them bloom in August. At th?t time I 

 always look over them daily and number or mark the most promising ones. 



In reviewing tlie work of the past I find tnat the mistake made is in num- 

 bering too many. 1 find that it is well not 10 do much of this work on cloudy 

 days, as under such conditions cannas of average quality show up well. For 

 several years I have selected hot, dry days, from i to 5 o'clock p. m., with 

 the thermometer anywhere from 90 degrees, up, in the shade. Under such con- 

 ditions it is necessary for a canna flower to have substance to make a show. 



The work of selecting seedlings is becoming more difficult, as there are 

 several expert canna hybridizers in Europe and in this country who are work- 

 ing and developing fine novelties, and we are all striving for the ideal canna, 

 with the hope of producing it in the near future. Any one looking back a 

 decade will admit that the work of the canna hybridizer has developed the 

 flower to a remarkable degree, and the canna of the present time is worthy 

 of a place in the finest conservatory, and in the near future will be used as a 

 decorative plant. The canna has not received the attention it justly deserves. 

 Nearly all our public parks are planted with inferior varieties. If these 

 were thrown into the dump pile, and their places filled with the improved 

 varieties, the public would have a better opinion of the canna as a blooming 

 plant. 



In conclusion, the writer would say that the labor of the hybridizer is not 

 so arduous as some would have us believe. Why should he care if the dew- 

 is wet, or the sun hot; is he not laboring for love? Is it worth nothing to 

 watch a plant grow and thrive under your care and produce its beautiful 

 flowers for your eye to behold? 



