STRAWBERRY. 77 



In other words, hybridizing hybrids is only the mixing 

 together of two compounds the exact proportions of 

 neither being known. 



The pistillate varieties are always fertilized by other 

 kinds ; their seeds are impregnated by whatever kind 

 produces the pollen ; consequently the plants grown from 

 them are natural crosses between the two or more, as the 

 case be. 



It is very doubtful if any dependence -can be placed 

 upon the results of artificial crossing between any of the 

 varieties of the two species named ; still, it may be worthy 

 of trial. All that is required is to fertilize the pistils of 

 one variety with the pollen from another. 



For instance, if we select the Wilson's Albany for the 

 parent from which we wish to procure seeds, when the 

 flowers first open, we take a pair of small scissors and cut 

 off the stamens, being careful to remove every one. It 

 is best to do this early in the morning before the petals 

 have fully expanded ; then set a bell-glass or a fine wire 

 screen over the entire plant, so that insects, which go 

 from flower to flower with pollen adhering to them, shall 

 not fertilize the plant upon which we are operating and 

 thereby defeat our object. In three or four hours after the 

 stamens have been removed, the pistils will probably be 

 sufliciently developed to receive the pollen, at which time 

 cut a fully expanded flower from the variety that has been 

 selected for the other parent, and apply its stamens to the 

 pistils of the Wilson's Albany. The stamens may be cut 

 off and allowed to drop on to the pistils or merely brushed 

 over them. Three or four flowers are sufficient, and all 

 that it is safe to undertake to operate upon on a single 

 plant ; all others should be removed before they open. 



Each flower must have its stamens removed and its pis- 

 tils fertilized in the same manner; and as they will proba- 

 bly not all open in one day, they must be attended to suc- 

 cessively as they bloom. 



