IMPROVING SMALL FRUITS 65 



because the body plasm of the dewberry is acting 

 as carrier. That is to say, the dewberry is the 

 pistillate parent. 



The elfin architects in a single ovule get to- 

 gether. They separate out the body plasm, and, 

 although there is conflict, it appears that the 

 material will permit the building of a root 

 and stem and leaf system that will answer 

 after a fashion — though a sad departure from 

 tradition. A big rambling bush that will try 

 to ape both dewberry and apple tree will 

 result. 



But in the matter of the architecture of the 

 germ plasm for the new organism through which 

 the race is to be perpetuated, difficulties arise at 

 the outset that are almost disheartening. 



There has been trouble enough in getting the 

 factors together to make any sort of stem and 

 leaf and flower. But all this was nothing com- 

 pared to the difficulties that arise when they get 

 to the fruit. 



"Specifications for fruit," says A, consulting 

 his blue print: "A big, pulpy fruit, about four 

 inches in diameter, called an apple." 



"Not at all," cries B, consulting his own blue 

 print. "The fruit is a small berry about an inch 

 long, with many drupelets each having a seed at 

 its center — in short, a blackberry." 



3— Vol. 5 Bur. 



