ON FLOWER POSSIBILITIES 



quadruple row of petals, you may readily make a 

 crossbreeding experiment through which you may 

 combine all the desired qualities in a single hybrid 

 offspring. 



Even if the first-generation seedling of such a 

 cross does not give you just the combination you 

 are seeking, the second generation offspring or a 

 subsequent one are almost sure to reveal some 

 plants that meet your expectations. 



So your simple experiments that began by mere 

 selection will probably lead you to experiments 

 in crossbreeding. 



THE Two BASIC ELEMENTS 



Thus by natural stages you will have learned 

 how to handle the essential tools of the plant 

 developer. You will have learned that the two 

 forces of heredity and environment are every- 

 where operative, and must everywhere be your 

 sole dependence. But you will have learned also 

 that your wishes become an important part of the 

 environment, when you determine which flowers 

 shall be permitted to reproduce their kind; and 

 that you also take a hand at determining the line 

 of action of hereditary tendencies when you cross- 

 pollinate the flowers, and decide which strains of 

 heredity shall be blended. 



Let me in concluding this preliminary chapter 

 name two or three common flowers with which 



[39] 



