436 ON THE FLOWERING AND FLOWERS OF APPLES. 



much larger amount of protection afforded to the delicate 

 embryo. The fourth column relating to the substance 

 of the petals cost me the most thought and time. The 

 difference here is in some cases so slight as to require a 

 very sensitive touch to realise, although I believe it is not 

 without influence on the crop. 



Many inferences may be drawn from the facts recorded 

 in the above table. I will only instance one. The popular 

 opinion that early flowering sorts should be avoided would 

 seem not absolutely correct. Two of the earliest flowering 

 sorts, "Irish Peach" and Duchess of Oldenburg" are 

 constant bearers, which is due probably to the protection 

 the embryo receives from their large cup-shaped flowers ; 

 whereas two of the latest flowering sorts, " Bess Pool " and 

 " Northern Spy " are shy bearers, which may be due 

 to their natural constitution, but is open to the suspicion 

 of being influenced by the later frosts on the organs of 

 reproduction which are less efficiently protected. But 

 here, as in all cases of this nature, exceptions will occur. 



ON THE IMPEOVEMENT OF PLANTS 



By Selection, Hybridising, and Cross-Breeding, having 



Special Eeference to the Hollyhock and the Eose. 



[Read at the Horticultural Congress at Manchester, July 21, 1869.] 



r I ^HERE are two important methods of procedure 

 -L open to him who may wish to engage in the 

 modification or improvement of plants. I, selection ; 2, 

 hybridising and cross-breeding. The first method, " selec- 

 tion," is exceedingly simple, and may be successfully 

 followed by anyone who possesses or who may acquire 

 the habit of observing correctly. The second method, 

 "hybridising and cross-breeding," is more complex, and 

 requires, in addition to the habit of observing correctly, 



