18 PROPAGATING OF VARIETIES. 



"If the pistils of one species be fertilized by the pollen of an. ther 

 species, which may take place in the same genus, or if two distinct 

 varieties of the same species be in like manner intermixed, the seed 

 which results from the operation will be intermediate between its 

 parents, partaking of the qualities of both. In the first case, the 

 progeny is hybrid or male ; in the second, it is simply cross-bred " 

 Although of the same genus, no hybrid has ever yet been created 

 between the apple and the pear, or the gooseberry and currant. 

 These cross-breds, when closely resembling the female parent are 

 termed sub-varieties. 



This practice of producing new varieties by cross fertilization was 

 advocated by Thomas Andrew Knight, a distinguished horticultur- 

 ist of England : while that of Dr. Van Mons, of Belgium, was the 

 re-production of seedlings from seedlings in succession ; selecting 

 each time those of the seedlings to procure the seed, which proved 

 the best in the fruit. At the eighth generation, in growing from the 

 pear, his seedlings produced fruit at four years old, while at the com* 

 mencement it required twelve to fifteen years. This he regarded as 

 the correct course to pursue in the amelioration of varieties. The 

 Frederic, of Wurtemburg, originated by him in this way, it is well 

 known, produces its fruit often in the nursery at two years from the 

 bud ; while the Dix, a seedling from we know not what variety, 

 requires twelve or fifteen years. This process, however, if taken, as 

 by Van Mons, from the commencement, i. e., a wildling, would require 

 a life-time ; but our people have all around them seedlings which at 

 an early age are producing fruit ; if, therefore, seed be taken from 

 the best of them, and the choicest again selected, it is not probable 

 that more than ten years would elapse without producing something 

 very superior. 



On the other hand, the process of Mr. Knight, of producing by 

 crossing, gives the grower the choice of selecting and growing to 

 whatever form, size, or character he may desire, and this with an 

 almost absolute certainty of success. This process being fully de- 

 scribed by Thomas, in his Fruit Culturist, we extract therefrom : 



" A familiar instance of cross-impregnation in plants occurs in the 

 Indian corn. The pistillate, or seed-bearing flowers, covering the 

 young ear, are remotely situated on the plant from the staminate, or 

 fertilizing flowers, on the summits, or tassels. Hence, from this re- 

 mote position, the pollen, or fertilizing dust, from the summits may 

 not certainly fall on the ear ; and, if different sorts grow near, a mix- 

 ture will probably result. It is well known to farmers, that if dif- 

 ferent sorts, as white, yellow, and purple, are planted in the same 

 field ; or, if common and sweet corn are planted together, each sort 

 no longer remains distinct, but each ear, the second year, is speckled 

 with a promiscuous assemblage of white, yellow, and purple, and of 

 common and sweet corn, of various grades. In fruit trees, the 



