On the Production of new varieties by Cross Fertilization. 97 



Art. V. On the Production of new varieties of Flowers, from 

 Seed, by Cross Fertilization. By the Conductor. 



The immense number of new flowers, as well as fruits, which 

 have, within late years, been raised by the English and French 

 horticulturists, has been the means of enriching our gardens with 

 artificial productions, in many instances, far more splendid than 

 the original species. At first this operation was confined to a 

 very few genera of plants, but within the few past years almost 

 every flower commonly grown in our gardens, or at least in the 

 gardens of our transatlantic friends, has been subjected to the skill 

 of the florist. It is almost unnecessary to mention any particu- 

 lar plant, so familiar are these artificial productions to every gar- 

 dener; the rose, the camellia, and particularly the dahlia, have 

 been more the immediate objects of their care, and the gor- 

 geousness of the blossoms of some, and the delicacy of others, 

 of the latter plant, have commanded, and indeed have well de- 

 served, the highest admiration of every amateur and lover of 

 flowers. There seems to be, and there probably is, no limit 

 to the production of new varieties. 



It Is not our object in the present paper to go into a physio- 

 logical discussion of the nature of these, generally termed, hybrid 

 productions, but 'which some writers seem not to consider as 

 such; but merely to make some remarks which may be a guide 

 to the novice in tlie raising of new varieties. 



There is no department of horticulture or floriculture which 

 affords more pleasure, or engages so much the interest of the 

 cultivator, as the prodxiction of new varieties of fruits or flow- 

 ers. To commit the seed to the earth, watch its vegetation — 

 its progress in its infant state — its more mature growth' — guard- 

 ing it from all dangers, — and, finally, as it begins to show signs 

 of perfecting its fruit or opening its blossoms, to mark its daily 

 progress, until it greets the eye of the impatient cultivator, either 

 affording him pleasure or disappointment in its qualities or proper- 

 ties, is a source of intense gratification. 



To produce a new and superior variety of any fruit or flower 

 is an achievement of no mean importance; and the producer of 

 such is entitled to the gratitude of every lover of floriculture. 



To see at once the importance which the production of new 

 varieties, by impregnation, has had upon- the progress of floricul- 

 ture, we need but point out the dahlia. Some years ago (not at 

 the most above ten or twelve) there was nothing but single one^, 

 or very inferior semi-double ones, known in this country, l-iook, 

 however, at the variety now cultivated. Thousands of kinds of 

 almost every^ shade of color (except blue or any thing very near 



VOL. III.-^NO. III. 13 



