FEBRUAllY. 71 



of pollen from tiie stamen to the pistil by bees or insects ;' in 

 which case the chances are never more than even, and gen- 

 erally much less, of purity of variety in the new individual 

 plant. And, to sum up the whole, it may be added, that 

 whenever, by wind or insect, it is possible for pollen to be 

 conveyed from one tree or plant to another, it is impossible, 

 without extra care, to keep either kind pure, with any cer- 

 tainty worthy of scientific or skilful culture ! 



It will be observed that we have left out of view the pop- 

 ular notion, which seems not very creditable to scientific 

 knowledge, that budding or grafting will prevent the produc- 

 tion of pure seed. It is very singular that this notion should 

 not have been practically exploded by the observation of 

 those who did not examine the matter scientifically. It may 

 be remarked, however, that if such processes of "working" 

 varieties impair their vigor, so that they then fail to produce 

 perfect blossoms, then, of course, the reproduction is inter- 

 rupted. 



Another question, which I might have been expected to 

 reach in this paper, -remains yet to be answered: — What are 

 the means, or methods, by which to counteract the tendency 

 of hybridization ? I shall crave your indulgence, Mr. Editor, 

 in your next issue, to reply on this point, rather than prolong 

 the discussion here. 



NOTES ON SEVERAL NEW FRUITS. 



BY WM. REID, NURSERYMAN, ELIZABETHTOWN, N. J. 



I HAVE promised several times to send occasionally, for the 

 Magazine, notes on anything that might be of interest. Your 

 pages will tell how well I have performed my promise. You 

 are aware, however, of the multifarious duties that a working 

 nurseryman has to perform ; which will, I trust, be an excuse 

 for not fulfilling my promise. I am, just at the present time, 

 tasting some varieties of winter pears, some account of which 

 may be of interest to those who are planting, or are interest- 

 ed in this pursuit. 



