34 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS 



lection upon production have been continued. Such study as has been 

 made to determine the possibility of eliminating certain physiological 

 diseases from greenhouse crops by means of plant selection, indicates 

 success by this method. 



DEVELOPMENTS IN PLANT BREEDING 



In plant breeding results arc slow, for they are contingent upon 

 the fruiting of hybrid progeny. In crossing hybrids, two difficulties 

 are encountered ; namely, obtaining the desired pollen at the right 

 time, and sterility of many of the hybrids. The appearance and 

 performance of first generation seedlings serve in some degree to indi- 

 cate the vitality of parent plants and the stability of their characters. 

 For this reason, effort centers upon production of second-generation 

 seedlings for as many of the more promising groups of hybrids as 

 possible. 



Apple hybridizing was begun in 1909, since which time nearly 

 fifty thousand flowers have been pollinated. Twenty-three per cent 

 of these pollinations have been successful, that is, fruits have matured 

 and been harvested. There are 814 different groups of hybrids repre- 

 sented. The same varieties and species, tho often not the same indi- 

 viduals, are used year after year. The seedlings range in age from 

 one to twelve years. Fruits from sixty-eight hybrid seedlings possess 

 sufficient merit to warrant propagation and further trial. These trees 

 vary, in season of fruit maturity, from early summer to late winter; 

 each is a potential new variety; these are being tested with reference 

 to productiveness and to the keeping quality of the fruit. 



DEVELOPMENTS IN LANDSCAPE GARDENING 



As early as 1868 a course in landscape gardening is mentioned 

 as part of the work in horticulture. In 1869, the Third Annual Cir- 

 cular of the Illinois Industrial University, announces that the "School 

 of Horticulture will include the formation, management, and care of 

 gardens, hotbeds, orchards, tree plantations, and ornamental grounds." 

 By 1871 there had been mapped out a much more complete course 

 of study, and we find for the junior year, second term, a course in 

 garden architecture; third term, "landscape gardening," with the 

 illuminating remark that "Ladies and gentlemen alike engage in the 

 studies and exercises of the course." Five years later, the circular an- 

 nounces that "Eleven weeks are devoted to the study of 'Landscape 

 Gardening.' " But since only twenty-four men were registered in the 



