HYBRIDISING AND CROSS-BREEDING. 1 1/ 



stigma, it is analogous to sowing seeds too thickly in a pot of 

 soil we injure the growth of all by allowing to many the 

 quantity of food required by a few individuals. 



Epochs when Fertilisation is possible. The time at which 

 the stigma or stigmas of the plants to be fertilised become 

 receptive must be carefully studied, especially with reference 

 to the following variations among others : 



1. Flowers which discharge their pollen before the stigma is 

 fully developed or receptive. [In this group the Garden-pea 

 (Pisum sativum), many species of Campanula, and many Cary- 

 ophyllaceous plants, may be named as examples. (See Agave, 

 Lobelias, and Composites.)] 



2. Flowers in which the stigma is receptive before the anthers 

 are developed 01 the pollen is ripe. [In this group the common 

 Rib-grass (Plantago lanceolatd), Calceolarias, Grass of Parnassus 

 (Parnassia palustris), Chimonanthus fragrans, and^many other 

 plants, are examples. Groups i and 2, although, strictly speak- 

 ing, they bear hermaphrodite flowers, are practically monoe- 

 cious.] 



3. Flowers which are dimorphic or trimorphic are for all 

 practical purposes monoecious, like the above groups, for a 

 similar reason viz., to secure natural cross-fertilisation, and 

 thus infuse new vigour into the offspring, just as the hybridist 

 or breeder of prize cattle finds an -occasional cross to improve 

 the resulting offspring, and to infuse new life and strength into 

 old races or strains. Primulas, Oxalis, Linum, and Lythrum, 

 are referred to by Mr Darwin as examples of this group. 



4. Flowers which are self-fertilising that is, in which the 

 pollen fertilises the stigma and ovules of its own flower. The 

 Sweet Violet, Wood-sorrel, some species of Indian Bellflowers, 

 and Juncus btifonins, are examples. 



Care necessary in Hybridising and in recording Hybrid Progeny. 

 Much difficulty is experienced in dealing with a wide and 

 intricate subject like hybridisation, owing to indefinite language; 

 and to obviate this, or as an attempt with that object in view, 

 I hope to be pardoned by hybridists and cultivators for the 

 following remarks and suggestions. There are clear distinc- 

 tions between bigeners, hybrids, half-breeds, and crosses ; and 

 if these distinctions were duly observed, and the parentage 

 of the male and female parents correctly given in recording 

 the name of any new plant of mixed parentage, much valuable 

 information would be gained. Before the record of any cross is 

 publicly made i.e., sent for due publication to the gardening 

 or botanical journals the seedlings from such cross or mixed 

 union, of whatever kind, should have attained their state of per- 



