264: PKACTICAL GAKDENING. 



present. Those, however, who see that we have bright yellow 

 grounds to very rough and bad flowers, are crossing them with 

 the finest of the white-ground flowers, to see if they cannot 

 impart to them the fine forms and distinct markings which 

 we possess in whites. 



We might pursue this subject to any length, because there 

 is scarcely a fruit, flower, plant, or vegetable, that has not 

 some fault, very few in cultivation that have not some excel- 

 lent quality. But there are certain rules that should always 

 guide us in our attempts at improvement : — 



Firstly, we should bear in mind that the plant we save the 

 seed from should be that which has the best habit ; for that 

 ^^oLL be the prevailing habit of all the seedlings. 



Secondly, that if they are plants not usually in bloom 

 together, one or both must be grown in pots, so that one may 

 be retarded, or the other advanced, or forced, as it were, to 

 bring both in flower together. 



Thirdly, that the pistil is only a short time in a proper 

 state to receive the pollen; and that is, when there is a mois- 

 ture on the top ; but, 



Fourtlily, that the pollen will keep a short time, if gathered 

 and kept from the air ; and, therefore, should be taken when 

 it is ready, and saved till the pistil of the other plant is ready 

 to receive it. 



Lastly, that all flowers impregnated should have a piece of 

 matting tied round them ; and, if you think it worth while, 

 and are not likely to remember it, a small label, with a memo- 

 randum of what it is fertilized with, and when it was done. 



In so^\dng the seeds, or pips, or stones, of plants which 

 have been crossed, take all fair means of hastening the result. 

 In fruit-trees, look at the foliage, and if there be any that have 

 no trace of the wild stock, it is fair to conclude you have 

 something worth trying. Therefore, as soon as the wood is 

 in a fit state, work a piece on a strong three or four-year old 

 stock, which mU greatly hasten fruiting. Among roses, if 

 you see any of the plants likely, from their appearance, to 

 differ much from the parent, or otherwise look promising, bud 

 it the instant you can, upon a strong brier, for that will 

 perhaps produce a flower a whole season before the plant on 

 its own bottom ; and, in fact, take every advantage to hasten 

 the blooming, that you may be the sooner in a position to 

 multiply it, if good, or throw it away, if good for nothing. 



