34 



as neither has the power to fertilize the other. But two stami- 

 nate kinds may be crossed ; the method, however, requires 

 more care, and is attended with more uncertainty. The stamens 

 of one variety must be removed as soon as the flower expands, 

 and the pistil dusted with pollen from the other. Remove all 

 the flower-buds from the plant to be fertilized, except those 

 experimented with, to prevent self-fertilization, or the stamens 

 may be removed with pointed scissors from all the flowers on 

 one plant, when it may be treated as a pistillate variety. 



I have endeavored to make this subject plain, as it is impor- 

 tant that it may be fully understood. A majority of the new 

 strawberries introduced from year to year are the result of cross- 

 ing, either artificially or through the agency of wind or insects. 

 We are often told that a new strawberry is a " chance seedling," 

 found growing in a bed of the Crescent, it may be, but sur- 

 rounded by plants of the Charles Downing, or some other per- 

 fect flowering kind, showing that it is as truly a cross as if 

 more carefully effected. 



Before leaving this subject, a few hints may be useful to those 

 intending to try the experiment of producing some new and val- 

 uable variety. Success will depend more upon a judicious se- 

 lection of varieties to be crossed, than upon skilful manipula- 

 tion. It would not be wise to cross two varieties of very poor 

 quality, though they might possess some other desirable charac- 

 teristics. So of two varieties that were unproductive, lacking 

 in firmness, of poor color or form. The aim should be to 

 counteract any fault of one variety by using as the other parent 

 a kind as near perfect in that particular as possible. 



For example : The James Vick is a staminate variety, said to 

 be immensely productive, but inclined to run too small. Why 

 not cross this with the Jersey Queen, a pistillate sort, of very 

 large size, fine flavor, good form and color, but in some locali- 

 ties not very productive ? 



Why not try a cross of the Windsor Chief (pistillate) with 

 the Hervey Davis ? They are both of good size and habit of 

 growth : the color of the Chief rather dark, the quality a little 

 off unless perfectly ripened, and not very firm. The Davis is 

 firm, of a beautiful color, and excellent in flavor. 



Try a cross of Jersey Queen or Hervey Davis both of excel- 



