86 THE ROSE GARDEN. 



may be inferred from the fact, that many of the Hybrid Chinese Roses, which are 

 decided Hybrids, seed freely. 



I have, by the aid of the microscope, examined numerous flowers, with the view 

 of solving this difficulty. I have arrived at conclusions which may be considered 

 sufficient for practical purposes ; or what will prove still better, may induce others 

 interested in the matter to push on the inquiry. 



The flowers were divided into three classes. The first class examined was that 

 which shewed no disposition to seed, where the seed-vessels did not increase in 

 size after the falling of the petals. In this case I found the pistils huddled 

 together, if I may so express myself, and apparently sterile ; or, if not so, petals 

 usurped the place of the pistils and stamens, extending into the ovaria or seed- 

 vessels. It was evident, then, that such could not seed. 



In examining the next class, where there was a disposition to seed, where 

 the seed-vessels increased in size after the falling of the flowers, but withered 

 before arriving at maturity, I found the pistils placed separately, and they appeared 

 perfect and healthy ; but the stamens were either so few or so encased within the 

 petals, that the pollen could not escape, and thus the flowers remained unfertilized. 

 In some cases the flowers were pendant ; owing to which position, and the relative 

 length of the pistils and stamens, the latter rising above the former, the pollen 

 fell away from, rather than upon, the pistils. In other cases, where the flowers 

 stood erect, the pistils often rose above the stamens, when the same consequences 

 were likely to ensue. Flowers of this kind will occasionally produce a pod of 

 perfect seeds, which may be attributed to accidental fertilization, the conveying of 

 the pollen by the insect tribe, or other causes. 



The next class taken in hand was that which ripened its seeds freely. 



The flowers here were found to have both stamens and pistils perfectly deve- 

 loped, the former abounding in pollen, which, in a more advanced stage of the 

 flower, was seen plentifully scattered over the stigmas, whose cup-shaped summits 

 were distinctly visible. 



From these facts I draw the following conclusions : — 1st, That certain varieties 

 are sterile; incapable of forming perfect seeds under any circumstances. Of these 

 I find such kinds predominate as roll the petals inward, the centre of the flower 

 being quartered in the manner of a crown. In others the pistils are weak or im- 

 perfect. 



2dly, That many kinds, where the pistils are perfect, which in their natural state 

 form seed-pods that wither before arriving at maturity, may be induced to perfect 

 their seeds by artificial impregnation. This class of Roses is the best for him who 

 intends raising seedlings to choose his female parents from, because there is little 

 here to interfere with, mar, or counteract his plans. There are certain kinds which 

 must not be confounded with the above — kinds which, owing to the length of time 

 the seed-vessels are in arriving at maturity, never perfect their seeds in this 

 countiy. 



