34 Bush-Fruits 



color of the fruit and to prevent the absorption of storage- 

 house odors and the appearance of mold. Red raspberries 

 may be kept two or three days, black raspberries three to 

 five days, blackberries seven to ten days and currants 

 two to three weeks. When removed from storage rasp- 

 berries begin to break down in ten to twelve hours, cur- 

 rants not quite so quickly. , 



METHODS OF CROSSING BERRIES 



The history of horticulture is conspicuous evidence of 

 the fact that careful, systematic plant-breeding has 

 played but a small part in its development. Animal- 

 breeders have long recognized the necessity of working 

 along definite lines, with clear-cut aims in view. Horti- 

 culturists have for the most part been content to take 

 what they found, and wait for something better. In the 

 history of American varieties of fruits, such phrases as 

 "a chance seedling," "found growing," and the like, are 

 of very common occurrence. There is good reason for 

 this in the fact that the rewards for systematic work in 

 plant-breeding have not been sufficient to repay the effort. 

 Results are uncertain, and often disappointing. If suc- 

 cessful the world reaps the benefit, rather than the breeder. 

 Yet there is no other way to make sure and definite prog- 

 ress. The more definite the aim, and the more clearly the 

 scientific principles underlying the problems of plant- 

 breeding ,are kept in mind, the more certain will be the 

 results. 1 



5 These principles are fully discussed in Bailey's "Plant-Breeding;" 

 latest edition is by Bailey & Gilbert. 



