264 



BREEDING CROP PLANTS 



TABLE LXVIII. ORIGIN OF VARIETIES OF APPLE, CHERRY, PLUM, 

 PEACH AND GRAPE 



while over 5 per cent, of the commercial varieties originated from 

 crosses in which both parents were known. Only six out of 

 2,749 varieties are known to have originated as bud sports. 



SOME EARLY STUDIES IN FRUIT IMPROVEMENT 1 



The preceding discussion gives some idea of the great number 

 of varieties of our fruit crops. While many of these are from 

 chance seedlings, a considerable percentage resulted from definite 

 attempts to produce improved forms. 



Von Mons. One of the earliest horticulturists was a Belgian 

 by the name of Von Mons, who was born in 1765 and died in 

 1842. He was a chemist but followed horticulture as an avoca- 

 tion. His studies were carried out for the purpose of proving the 

 truth of certain philosophical theories. While he did not succeed 

 in substantiating the theories, his work was of considerable value 

 to horticultural science and practice. His most important studies 

 were with pears. In 1823 there were 80,000 seedlings in his nur- 

 sery. About this time he issued a catalog in which 1,050 pears 

 were described by name or number. Of these, 405 varieties 

 were of his own production. His practice was to sow, select, and 

 resow, and without doubt a part of his great accomplishments 

 was a direct result of cumulative selection. 



Knight. Thomas Andrew Knight has already been mentioned 

 as a man who contributed much to the art of plant breeding. He 

 was born in England in 1759 and died in 1838. A part of his work 

 was carried on with such fruit crops as apples, pears, and peaches. 



1 For an account of the evolution of American fruits the reader is re- 

 ferred to BAILEY, 1898; MUNSON, 1906. 



