HYBRIDS AND HYBRIDISING 49 



like trying to make a joke, but it may be remarked that 

 patience and perseverance are essential if much good is 

 to be done. 



In this chapter on hybrids and hybridising it may be 

 important to point out that everything is not got by 

 crossing. Plants naturally vary from seed without cross- 

 ing, and valuable results may often be obtained by 

 sowing from a selected parent or parents. Some of the 

 progeny may be better and some worse, and if one of 

 several thousands happens to make any definite advance 

 in beauty it may be well worth all the trouble that has 

 been taken. Some kinds of Iris, and other plants too, 

 could not be improved by crossing, and it is much 

 better to devote our energies to the improvement of 

 the existing type. This, I think, might be said of Iris 

 Rosenbachiana. By selecting best forms and raising from 

 them, very valuable results could no doubt be obtained. 



