ON THE CHESTNUT 



tendency to vary in this regard was accentuated by 

 hybridization just as were other tendencies. Or, 

 stated otherwise and a little more technically, the 

 hybridization has made possible the segregation of 

 hereditary characteristics, bringing to the surface 

 factors for spinelessness that no doubt have been 

 transmitted as recessive traits for a very large 

 number of generations. 



Doubtless there was a time when the chestnut 

 did not have a spiny bur. 



So my spineless variety, when perfected, will 

 represent a remote reversion, or the bringing to 

 the surface of a tendency that has long been sub- 

 merged. 



No doubt difficulties will be involved in perfect- 

 ing the race of chestnuts with smooth burs similar 

 to those that attended the development of the 

 thornless blackberry and the spineless cactus. But 

 there is reason to expect that the same measure of 

 success will be attained with the chestnut that was 

 attained with the other spine bearers. 



A nut that combines all the good qualities of 

 my hybrid early bearing chestnuts and in addition 

 is born in a spineless bur would have a combina- 

 tion of qualities that should appeal to the orchard- 

 ist, and doubtless will do so when the idea that 

 nuts may form valuable commercial crops gains 

 wider vogue. 



[129] 



