FLOWER-GARDENING. 141 



or high temperature accompanied by a dry atmosphere, training 

 obliquely or in an inverted direction, a constant destruction of 

 the extremities of young growing branches, will all cause an 

 accumulation of sap, and secretions ; and, consequently, all such 

 circumstances are favorable to the production of flower- 

 buds. 



164. But a richly manured soil, high temperature, with 

 great atmospheric humidity, or an uninterrupted flow of sap, 

 are all causes "of excessive vigor, and are consequently unfavora- 

 ble to the producing of flower-buds. 



165. There is a tendency in many flowers to enlarge, to alter 

 their colors, or to change their appearance by transformation 

 and multiplication of their parts, whenever they have been 

 raised from seed for several generations, or domesticated. 



166. The causes of this tendency are probably various, but, 

 being entirely unknown, no certain rules for the production of 

 varieties in flowers can be laid down, except by the aid of 

 hybridizing (201). 



167. It often happens that a single branch produces flowers 

 different from those produced on other branches. This is 

 technically called a sport. 



168. As every bud on that branch has the same specific vital 

 principle (113), a bud taken from such a branch will produce 

 an individual, the whole of whose branches will retain the 

 character of the sport. 



169. Consequently by buds an accidental variety may be 

 made permanent, if the plant that sports be of a firm woody 

 nature (98). 



170. As flowers feed upon the prepared sap in their vicinity, 

 the greater the abundance of this prepared food, the more 

 perfect will be their development. 



171. Or, the fewer the flowers on a given branch, the more 

 food they will severally have to nourish them, and the more 

 perfect will they be. 



172. The beauty of flowers will therefore be increased either 

 by an abundant supply of food, or by a diminution of their num.- 



