STATE HOETICULTURAL SOCIETY. 331 



many variations of apples upon the same tree or neighboring trees 

 of same sorts be due to this immediate influence of prepotent pol- 

 len, either at the time or through reversion or heredity? It is 

 usually supposed that the change in the character of the fruit from 

 the effect of foreign pollen becomes apparent only in the next gen- 

 eration through the seeds, yet any one who will read Darwin's 

 *' Variation of Plants and Animals under Domestication " will see 

 that cases of the contrary, namely, immediate effect upon the re- 

 ceptacle of the seeds or what we call the pulp or fruit, are not very 

 rare. The most notable case given in this work is that of the St. 

 Vallery apple, whose stamens being abortive, the children in the 

 neighborhood apply to them pollen from other varieties of apples^ 

 and attaching each their own name to the spur or blossom fertilized 

 by this pollen, claim and receive from the tree in the fall, each one^ 

 a different fruit from the branch they had fertilized and labeled. 

 The study of blossoms and seeds lies at the base of all systematic 

 improvements in fruits as well as flowers. 



Below will be found the remarks of Messrs. Rogers and Lovett, 

 above referred to, and an interesting letter from Mr. Hale on thi& 

 subject. G. 



J. B. Rodgers, of New Jersey. This year the Manchester has 

 surprised the growers on account of the large size it has attained^ 

 when planted near certain varieties as a fertilizer for it. When 

 first grown on Mr. Battey's place, where the flowers were fertilized 

 with the Wilson, it resembled the Wilson, and in many cases only 

 a close inspection could determine the distinction between the two. 

 Last year many experts were fearful that there were two or more 

 berries put out under this name, as the color of the fruit was so 

 variable. This year, however, has demonstrated that size, shape, 

 color, and firmness is greatly altered by the varieties near which it 

 may be planted. When the Wilson is used, the Manchester is 

 small, hard, not very productive, — poor in all respects except color. 

 Sharpless gives largest berries, although apt to produce sports in 

 shape of the Manchester, also renders in most instances a more 

 firm carrying berry. Bidwell gives good results, in shape uniform,, 

 deeper color, variable as to firmness. Cumberland Triumph gives 

 a berry much like itself in all respects. Miner's Prolific, as ta 

 results much the same as the Wilson. 



Early in the summer of 1882, Mr. Hovey having advanced the 

 claim that the Manchester and Hovey seedlings were identical, a 

 very close scrutiny was had into the merits and characteristics of 



