CROSS-POLLENIZING THE FLOWERS. 85 



of Duchess (pear) are much rougher and larger at 

 the blossom end. Even a greater difference is found 

 on internal examination. Self-fertilized fruit had 

 none or very few seeds, while others crossed, had a 

 large number of them. 



"The result with apples was not so great as with 

 pears, for no variety was found that would self- 

 fertilize to any extent. Cross-fertilizing with more 

 than one-half the varieties of pears and apples is 

 essential to successful fruiting. 



"The chief agencies of fertilizing are insects, and 

 the honey-bee is best of them all." 



It will be seen that it is not best to plant large 

 areas of fruit of one kind; they should be mixed. 

 Where such orchards exist already other varieties 

 can be introduced by top grafting. In selecting a 

 variety to use for this fertilizing, use one that 

 ripens at about the same time and produces its blos- 

 soms at the same time. Supposing the trees are all 

 Ben Davis, and we should top work with Rawls 

 Janet, there would be no gain as the blossoms of the 

 former would be all gone before the advent of the 

 latter. Use the Winesap and you will accomplish 

 the end desired. 



Some of our readers may wish to experiment in 

 this cross-fertilization. It is one of the most inter- 

 esting of all experiments, and easily accomplished. 

 The object to be obtained is the producing of new 

 and valuable varieties. The pathology of the exper- 

 iments is generally based upon the use of two par- 

 ents having in themselves excellent qualities, but 



