CULTURE OF OUR NATIVE PLANTS. 49 



We now pass to the second branch of our subject, i. e., the hybridization 

 which, effected between our hardy and more tender species, may produce 

 results of great importance. Most unfortunately, little can be said on this 

 topic, for the reason that but few experiments have been made, and these 

 without satisfactory results. A year ago the writer tried the experiment of 

 fertilizing the blue water lily (Nymphsea coerulea) with the white native 

 (N. odorata.) The hybridization was easily effected ; the seed capsules 

 ripened, and in due time rose to the surface of the water to scatter the seed. 

 Tlie seeds were carefully collected and planted, but as yet have failed to 

 vegetate. The fault was not in the seed, but, probably, sufficient care has 

 not been exercised in planting. In this experiment there was another 

 error ; the white native should have been fertilized with the blue, not the 

 blue with the white ; for it is best to make the female plant that from 

 which you hope to obtain the desirable qualities. In this case a hardy 

 offspring was sought. This experiment is one which will be repeated, and 

 we trust, with a satisfactory result. Some progress has also been made in 

 crossing our native lilies (L. canadense and L. superbum) with the white 

 Japan varieties. 



The field which this subject opens to us is as yet but little explored, and 

 much remains undiscovered to tempt the skill of the gardener, or attract 

 the attention of the amateur. 



The same may be said in regard to the next branch of our subject, i. e., 

 the production of double flowers by high cultivation, or from seed. A 

 double flower is one in which, by some accident of cultivation or freak of 

 nature, the stamens have become changed into petals. No flower is by 

 nature double; and all the beautiful flowers of our gardens and green- 

 houses, which, by their symmetrical double form and their beautiful folds 

 of imbricated leaves, attract the eye and are the pride of the gardener, to 

 the botanist must ever appear as monstrosities. From the definition of a 

 double flower it necessarily follows that no flower of the first Linnsean 

 orders can, under any circumstances, become double, from the simple fact 

 that they have no sufficient number of stamens to be turned into petals. 

 Almost all of our double flowers come from blossoms which in a single 

 state possess a large number of stamens, as the rose, camellia and others, 

 though this rule is not invariable. Again, we obtain our double flowers 

 from seed of single varieties, for no perfectly double flower can produce 

 seed of itself; for even if the pistil be present and perfect there are no 

 stamens to fertilize it. 



Double flowers are often produced by high cultivation; the tendency 

 being to render the stamens abortive, and change them to petals ; but we 

 can lay down no certain rules for their production; they appear to be 

 accidents or anomalies in the floral world ; and while we may, in a meas- 

 ure, render the occurrence of the accident less unlikely, we cannot by any 

 means calculate with certainty on its happening. 



On this topic there is but little established as well known, and much 

 may be gained by experiment and observation. 



We now come to the fourth branch of our subject, on which we cannot, 

 4 



