FLOWERS 403 



It must not be supposed that miscellaneous mixtures are 

 the only ones used by florists. Often the mixtures are 

 definite and have in view a combination of desirable char- 

 acters that exist separately in the two parents. For example, 

 it is very common to work for such a combination as color 

 and size of flower, by crossing flowers of the desired color 

 with flowers of the desired size. In this way, for example, 

 many new carnations and chrysanthemums are produced. 

 Often it is desired merely to increase the size of a desirable 

 flower beyond its usual limit, and this can usually be secured 

 by the selection and propagation of the largest flowers 

 through a series of generations. This has resulted in the 

 production of some remarkably large chrysanthemums and 

 carnations. 



One of the best illustrations of crossing to secure definite 

 results is the Shasta daisy produced by Luther Burbank. 

 It is a triple hybrid, that is, it is a mixture of three forms, 

 each one contributing certain features. The American form, 

 common throughout the east as a weed, is known as oxeye 

 daisy or marguerite. It is an abundant bloomer, but the 

 habit of the plant is not handsome, being rather loose and 

 straggling. The English representative has a handsome 

 habit, with tall and stiff stems; while the Japanese form 

 is characterized by the pearly luster of the flowers. By 

 crossing these three forms, the Shasta daisy was produced, 

 which combines in a single individual the profuse blooming 

 of the American form, the erect habit of the English form, 

 and the pearly white flowers of the Japanese form. 



Ill . Rose. The varieties of roses (Fig. 68) are so numer- 

 ous and the methods of handling them are so varied that no 

 general account can cover them. The situation may be 

 illustrated, however, by taking the case of a home rose 

 garden, which any one can secure who controls a small plot 

 of ground. 



The spot selected must be sunny, but protected against 



