CALIFORNIA PLANT BREEDING. 



241 



t have a very good hybrid Asparagus which is the result of a oross 

 between Asparagus decumbens, seed-bearing, and pollen from Asparagus 

 tenuissimus. 



Some seedling Roses which have flowered giving great promise of good 

 varieties are American Beauty crossed with Kaiserin Augusta Victoria and 

 Papa Gontier crossed with American Beauty. 



Pollen grains vary in size and vitality, though they may have been grown 

 in the same stamen. In fact, I am selecting my pollen grains. Method 

 used: A piece of unglazed paper is used, shaking the ripe pollen onto it and 

 curving the paper, and at the same time elevating one end so that the pollen 

 runs down onto a plate. On looking at the. pollen with a lens we find that 

 a certain amount of inferior grains are left on the paper, and by repeating 

 the operation only the heaviest grains reach the plate. From experience I 

 have found that these selected grains carry with them the general make-up 

 of the plant bearing them, unless the energy of the stigma overpowers the 

 pollen life. If such is the case the progeny is intermediate between the 

 two in all points. But if the vigor of the pollen predominates it carries with 

 it all the characteristic traits of its parent except color, which invariably 

 leans to the seed-bearing parent. Mixed pollens from differently colored 

 flowers produced all flaked flowers in Gladiolus. But one grain of pollen 

 from a red-flowered Gladiolus on a light salmon-colored one produced a 

 most beautiful pink. The few remaining seed gave results inferior to both 

 parents. 



Moisture is fatal to pollen and weakens the vigor of the stigma. It is 

 owing to the dry air of California that California seeds have such sound 

 germinating powers. 



All plant life deteriorates, and it is only by crossing variety on variety 

 that we stay this law of nature. In fact, such is the tendency of some varie- 

 ties to hold to their original that when crossed with pollen from another 

 variety it only adds vigor to the tree or plant. 



I have a noticeable instance of this in a hybrid Orange tree. The tree 

 is the result of a cross between the Navel Orange and the Mediterranean 

 Sweet, the former being the seed-bearer. As far as I can see the fruits are 

 perfect Navels in every way. W. H. MORSE. 



I have originated five varieties of loquat, which I consider of sufficient 

 value to offer to the public. They are : 



Advance, which is very large, sometimes three inches in length; pear 

 shaped ; yellow skin ; white flesh, and grows often in immense clusters. Ripe 

 rather late in April and May. 



Blush, much like the Advance, but somewhat earlier ; does not grow in 

 such large clusters; is the least affected of any by the blight, being virtually 

 immune. 



Premier; very large ; oval ; salmon skin and flesh ; very early, ripening in 

 March and April, or even before. 



Pineapple; a quiet, large, round, white-skinned, white-fleshed loquat of 

 wonderfully rich flavor ; grows in very large clusters ; ripens with the Advance. 



Commercial; exceedingly large; pear shaped; skin, yellow; flesh, white; 

 fruited for the first time in 1900. A very fine loquat, indeed. 



The Advance has been recognized as of especial value for about fourteen 

 years. Most of the others are seedlings from it and are of comparatively 

 recent introduction. Up to a quite recent date, my method has been simply 

 to fruit selected seedlings, but now I have some young trees one and two years 

 old, from pits which were hand fertilized, and whose origin is certain. I have 

 fruited over twelve hundred seedlings and have about as many more which 

 will bear in the next two years. 



Owing mainly to the introduction of the Advance, the loquat has become 

 very popular in Los Angeles. One man, the past season, sold in that market 



