acquisitions are seldom obtained without careful hybridization or cross- 

 breeding, Sometimes natural crosses occur from the action of insects, 

 but if cultivators wish to raise new varieties of merit they must 

 cross-fertilize by artificial means. Hybridization is effected by removal 

 of the stamens or male organs in the flowers, and dusting the stigmas or 

 mouths of the pistils or female parts with pollen obtained from another 

 variety. By this means some of our finest varieties of fruit have been 

 originated, but cultivators must bear in mind that in cross-breeding 

 there is no certainty as to what the results may be, and seedlings will 

 often be disappointing to their raisers. 



PROPAGATION. 



Fruit trees and shrubs are propagated by various means, viz., seeds, 

 cuttings, suckers, layers, grafting, budding, and inarching. 



Seeds. Seed, as a matter of course, is the source of new varieties, 

 but only a comparatively few cultivators devote themselves to the 

 raising of these. But seedlings are raised in large quantities to supply 

 stocks, upon which known and desirable varieties can be budded or 

 grafted. Seedlings undoubtedly afford better stocks than can be 

 obtained in any other way, and they should be used as far as practicable. 

 The seedling is a new plant with a distinct individuality, and will, in 

 all probability, prove more vigorous and thrifty than a stock obtained 

 from layers or cuttings. As far as practicable, therefore, seedlings 

 should be used in preference to stocks raised from other sources. In 

 certain cases, as for instance in propagating the Apple or the Grape 

 Vine, there are special reasons for departing from this practice, but it 

 should be adopted to as great an extent as possible. In raising seed- 

 lings for stocks, care should be taken, as far as is practicable, to sow 

 seeds of such kinds as are likely to give the best results. Varieties 

 often differ materially in vigour, habit of growth, and in other ways j 

 and though seedling plants often vary considerably from their parent?, 

 yet the probability is that the great majority will be of the same 

 character. No precise directions can be given upon this point, but as 

 a rule growers should avoid using the seeds of any varieties that in 

 their habit of growth possess undesirable qualities, such as throwing 

 up suckers too freely, wanting in vigour, <kc. It must also be remembered 

 that, with most of our cultivated fruit trees, varieties differ materially 

 in their growth and requirements, and what may prove a suitable 

 stock in one case will be quite the reverse in another. I am quite 

 certain that the unthi if tineas of trees in many cases is caused by 

 unsuitable stocks. Fruit-growera must also bear in mind that some 

 stocks are better adapted to particular soils than others. As a rule, 

 strong hardy varieties will give better seedling stocks for heavy or wet 

 soils than kinds that are less vigorous. As regards the other points 

 mentioned, I am unable to lay down any absolute rules, but I strongly 

 advise growers to experiment with seedlings from various sources 

 as stocks. 



