THE WATSONIA 73 



of the racial strains within their germ plasm, 

 and the possibility of segregating and recom- 

 bining traits of different ancestors. 



There is a corresponding diversity as to the 

 bulbs, and in particular as to the degrees of 

 rapidity with which they multiply. There are 

 varieties that will produce a bushel of bulbs 

 from a single one in a comparatively short time, 

 whereas others multiply very tardily. It is 

 rather curious to note that the bulbs that are 

 the most rapid multipliers are usually the ones 

 that produce the best flowers and bloom most 

 abundantly. 



In dividing the bulbs of the hybrid seedlings, 

 it is observed that some spread out naturally 

 into bulbs of even size and are easily pulled 

 apart, like gladioli, thus multiplied with facility. 

 Others grow together in clusters that must be 

 wrenched apart, breaking the bulb seriously, or 

 else cut with a knife. All these matters are 

 taken into consideration in the selection through 

 which the few are singled out for preservation 

 and the many are destroyed. 



It is my custom, having selected a certain 

 number for preservation, to cut away nine- 

 tenths of the seed pods in order to strengthen 

 the bulb, thus stimulating the fullest de- 

 velopment. 



