ON THE FLOWERING AND FLOWERS OF APPLES. 435 



The first column relating to the size of the flowers 

 requires no further comment than that a large flower 

 surrounding and in close proximity to the organs of fructi- 

 fication would have a greater protecting influence than a 

 medium-sized or small one. The second column relating 

 to form is still more important from this point of view. It 

 must, however, be remarked here that the flowers of some 

 sorts are " cupped " from the time they open till they fall, 

 whereas others are "cupped" when opening, gradually 

 passing into the expanded form, and others, again, are 

 expanded from the beginning till they fall. 



The third column relates to the size of the petals which 

 compose the flower, some being narrow, leaving openings 

 between them, others closing completely, and some even 

 overlapping. In the latter cases there is, I apprehend, a 



