100 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



variation iu the general characteristics of the seedlings thus 

 obtained, the operator should select such as show the greatest 

 development of the essential points desired in the new varieties to 

 be brought out. From these, bj' careful selection and traiuiug for 

 a few years, the much desired new variet3% superior to all others 

 will be established, and by continually using the best specimens as 

 seed-stock, it can be maintained pure, avoiding the natural 

 tendency to go back to the form of one or the other parent. In 

 producing new varieties of corn there is but little trouble, the 

 fertilizing pollen is so readily carried by the wind and falls upon 

 the silk of different varieties. Thus crosses are being made 

 continually from the kinds planted near each other. But to 

 pei'manently establish any desired point in quality or character 

 requires years of careful experiment, training and watchfulness, 

 as all such crosses have a natural tendency to "sport," and if not 

 grown at a long distance from all other varieties, they are liable to 

 accidental cross-fertilization. 



Mr. Augur desired to state in regard to heavily manuring laud, 

 that he had never put fort}'^ cords of such manure as he recom- 

 mended upon one acre, but it was only because he could not get it. 



Mr. Warren stated that he had invented a machine for cutting 

 off sti'awberi'y runners. It consists of an iron finger which 

 passes under the runners, and a circular knife — worked by the 

 wheel on which the machine is carried — which cuts off the runners 

 as fast as they are gathered up by the finger and as fast as a man 

 would walk. It is to be used after the runners have generally 

 struck roots, but he had not used it very much of late as he 

 thought the plants did not winter as well if so cut just before the 

 colder season came on. 



On motion of Mr. Hadwen, a vote of thanks to the essayist for 

 his interesting and instructive paper, was unanimously passed. 



The announcement for the next Saturday was a lecture upon 

 "The Geographical Distribution of Plants," by W. F. Ganong, 

 Instructor in Botany, Harvard University, Cambridge. 



