STATE HORTICULTXJRAL SOCIETY. 333^ 



arises from the imcongenial neighbors planted near. In many 

 instances may not the result of a whole year's labor be lost from 

 the same courses. 



1 would not have it inferred that I wish to give any undue pre- 

 ference to the Manchester by these remarks, only that like the 

 Concord among the grapes, from certain causes taking a high place 

 and giving a stimulus to grape culture. So the Manchester pos- 

 sessing, as it would, such a marked preference to certain v^arieties,. 

 as a fertilizer, has, as it were, opened a new field for experiment. 

 When experiments are made over a more extended field, results 

 may vary. Only such a short time has elapsed since the first ob- 

 servations were made, that nothing conclusive can be determined, 

 only extended and thorough experiments can fully demonstrate 

 the value of this subject. 



This subject of the effect of the male plant upon the fruit has 

 been under observation by the members of the New Jersey State 

 Horticultural Society since 1881. At the annual meeting held in 

 February of that year, Mr. C. W. Harrison asked if pistillate varie- 

 ties were less firm than perfect flowering varieties? He had found 

 that Gypsey, fertilized by Black Giant, partook of the nature of 

 the latter. Champion fertilized with Great American resembled 

 it. Their resemblance was very apparent in color and firmness of 

 flesh. Pale berries fertilized with dark ones he was sure would be 

 improved in color. 



J. T. Lovett cited a garden in which some years ago were 

 Wilsons and French Seedling strawberries, and no difference could 

 be detected in the looks of the fruit. The flavor of the Wilson was 

 also improved. The next year, 1882, it was noticed that Gleudale 

 and Sharpless planted side by side produced berries on each row 

 possessing characteristics of the other, and where they had run 

 close together it was still more marked. In picking two or three 

 quarts of the Glendale, a large proportion would show characteris- 

 tics of the Sharpless. 



The subject of the effect of the pollen upon pistillate varieties of 

 Strawberries came up before our State Horticultural Society some 

 years ago, when it produced much discussion. It elicited the ex- 

 pression of several growers of wide exerience. Without an excep- 

 tion they testified that pollen from perfect flowered varieties not 

 only exerted an influence, but a most decided one, upon the fruits 

 of pistillate sorts. I have previously noted the phenomenon, and 

 set about the following spring a series of experiments to ascertain 

 to what extent the influence of a pollen-bearing variety was trans- 



