127 



unless pollen was received from some other flower. This might 

 occur, as insects are constantly flitting from flower to flower 

 with their downy coats covered with pollen, and, as it is very 

 subtile, the air is filled with it when the vine is in flower. Cross- 

 ing is constantly taking place in fruits, flowers, and vines, when 

 two or more varieties are in blossom at the same time. The ef- 

 fect is not manifest in the fruit the same year, but only when 

 we plant the seed and grow fruit therefrom. 



Now, unfortunately, we have no perfect fruits or flowers. 

 Some are very near perfection in one or two particulars, but 

 fail to fill the bill in others. We find another variety that ex- 

 cels, and fails in just the opposite requisites. If we can but 

 unite the surpassing excellence of both in one variety, we shall 

 have arrived almost at the end of our journey. We want a 

 grape as large in bunch and berry as the Black Hamburg ; as 

 hardy, healthy, and productive as the Concord ; at least two 

 weeks earlier than the Hartford Prolific ; that will bear handling 

 as well and keep as long as the Diana ; and in quality, equal to 

 the Delaware in its best condition. This would not give us a 

 perfect grape ; but to enumerate other requisites might tend to 

 discourage all efforts for improvement. 



If the ideal grape is ever produced, it is likely to be by cross- 

 ing or hybridizing varieties and species having the characteris- 

 tics that we wish to combine. The desired result may be at- 

 tained when least expected. But, while in crossing we may hope 

 to unite the best qualities of two varieties, it may happen that 

 we get only the faults of both ; yet our chances of success are 

 enhanced by breeding from ancestry having the best blood. 



The question, How shall we proceed in crossing so as to ob- 

 tain a new variety having the characteristics of both parents? 

 has already been hinted at, but may require a more minute ex- 

 planation. The cut (2, Fig. 56) shows a perfect flower after 

 the calyx has been removed. The pollen from stamens sur- 

 rounding the pistil will be sure, under favorable conditions, to 

 fall upon the stigma, when fertilization will occur. We say that 

 such a flower is self-fertilized ; but, if we remove the calyx as 

 soon as it can be done, before the flower expands, and clip off 

 the anthers with pointed scissors, as shown at Z), Fig. 56, 

 self-fertilization cannot occur. Then gather the pollen from 



