54 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1885. 



usually not confined to the resulting embryo, but shares itself also in 

 a variety of changes in the mother plant itself." 



This is what I claim to have seen in conducting my experiments 

 with the strawberry a quarter of a century ago — i. e., the influence of 

 the pollen extended not only to the seed and fleshy receptacle or fruit, 

 but to the fruit, stalks and the entire plant. Further investigations in 

 the same direction have only confirmed my convictions in regard to 

 the influence of the pollen reaching so far beyond the seed as to affect 

 the fruit suflScient in many instances to change size, form, color and 

 even the flavor. 



In ordinarily practical operations it may not be of any great ira- 

 portance, but every fact in regard to such matter is of value in the 

 hands of those who seek to know something of cause and effect in the 

 cultivation of plants. 



APPENDIX C 



Abstract of Address by Norman J. Coleman, United States 

 Commissioner, before the Pomological Convention : — 



I thank you, gentlemen, for the compliment you have paid me by 

 inviting me to address you. I came to this meeting to acquire 

 information. I knew I should meet the advanced thinkers, the pro- 

 gressive agriculturists and horticulturists, of the nation. In the 

 addresses and discussions before the society I thought I should gather 

 information that would be useful to me in my oflicial position, and I 

 have not been disappointed. Horticulture is but a higher branch of 

 agriculture. As farmers advance in intelligence and refinement they 

 naturally pay more attention to the culture of fruits and flowers, and 

 to the adornment of their homes. Being by profession, as well as by 

 taste and inclination, a horticulturist, in accepting the official position 

 which I hold I felt anxious to do all in my power to aid and advance 

 our growing horticultural interests. I believe I am the first person 

 wholias been placed at the head of our agricultural interests who has 

 been a practical liorticulturist, and during my terra of oftice I am 

 anxious to do what I can to promote them. I want your assistance, 

 your encouragement. Suggestions from you will always be welcome 

 and have careful consideration. 



I have already put new machinery to work in aid of the horti- 

 culturist and agriculturist. Appreciating the heavy annual losses 

 sustained by our fruit-growers and farmers by the rusts, mildews, and 

 blights which affect their crops, I appointed, soon after taking my 



