264 T HE FLORAL WOULD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



of preserving the anthers between two pieces of glass until the 

 expansion of the flowers of the other species. 



The stigma of most plants are sufficiently apparent to render any 

 special instructions unnecessary, except in the instance of one or two 

 plants. The stigma of the iris is sometimes quite a puzzle to the 

 inexperienced florist ; but it is, in reality, as easily seen as in any 

 other plant. If the petal-like body, usually of a vaulted form, which 

 covers over the anther, be slightly raised by its bifid lid, a thin 

 membranous ridge will be observed immediately below the lip, at 

 the point where it is, when shut, in contact with the true petal 

 beneath it. The whole of this membranous edging may perhaps 

 act as an absorbing surface for the pollen, which will generally be 

 found upon it after the opening of the anther ; but the central 

 portion between the bifid lip is no doubt the true stigma. After 

 the application of the pollen, the stigma either withers, or loses its 

 viscidity, changes which may be deferred for some days by preserving 

 them from contact with the anthers. This weli-known fact may be 

 made available for the prolongation of the blossoming period of 

 most plants ; for after fecundation, not only the stigma, but also the 

 entire flower, rapidly decays. 



It is generally supposed that in hybrid plants, the flowers and 

 organs of reproduction partake of the characters of the female parent, 

 while the foliage and habit resemble those ot the pollen-bearing plant. 

 This is, however, bv no means an established law, for the plants 

 raised from the same pod of seed, will often contain individuals, 

 some of which resemble the male plant, whilst others inherit the 

 leading features of the pistilliferous plant. Hybrid plants usually 

 ripen seed, but their offspring seldom continue fertile beyond the 

 second or third generation, though to this rule there are many 

 exceptions. They may, however, be fertilized by the pollen of one 

 of the parents. 



The choice of subjects for hybridization is obviously a matter for 

 the exercise of individual taste. Much has been done by the florist 

 in improving some of our cultivated plants, but an immense harvest 

 remains to be gathered amongst our hardy bulbs, shrubs, and 

 perennials ; and every amateur florist may be assured that it is fully 

 within his power to originate, in each of these sections, new varieties 

 which would yield him both fame, pleasure, and profit. To each of 

 our readers as may be induced to try their hand at this interesting 

 art, we earnestly recommend that a record of each experiment and 

 its results should be kept. 



