PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 313 



Plants in a state of nature perpetuate their species and varieties 

 with great uniformity of character. Yet a slight change is very 

 often observed, and it has been upon these variations that pomo- 

 logists and florists have mainly depended, as the starting point 

 from which they produce their innumerable varieties. 



The eflfects produced by change of soil and climate ui^on plants, 

 when removed from their native habitats, have long been observed, 

 and these variations turned to valuable account. Although these, 

 changes have been slow, yet, to the aid of science and the pre- 

 servation of them, we are indebted for most of the valuable fruits 

 and flowers in cultivation. 



When plants are removed from one country to another, and 

 become acclimated, the effect of this change will sometimes 

 show itself in the seedlings grown from them, in a distinct and 

 wonderful manner, so much so, that we are often inclined to 

 think that it is the resuft of accidental hybridization. 



This leads many to believe that they have a hybrid variety, 

 when it is only a variation produced by natural causes. 



If we have a variety of fruit which reproduces its kind with- 

 out variation, it is not positive proof that it is a distinct species; 

 but it only goes to show that the natural forces of the plant are 

 perfectly balanced. 



When there has been a displacement of these forces, either by 

 hybridization or cultivation, and the functions of generation 

 have been disarranged, then variation begins, and the effects of 

 hybridization the more difficult to determine. 



Suppose we fertile the Isabella grape with the Sweetwater, and 

 the result is a white variety, would the simple fact of its being 

 white be a proof that the operation had been successful ? No, 

 not at all ; for there have been plenty of white varieties produced 

 from the Isabella, without its being brought in contact with any 

 white kind. 



To convince us that hybridization had actually taken place, 

 we would want to see some of the prominent characteristics of 

 both parents intermingled in the offspring. 



Again, if the offspring should appear to be only a reproduction 

 of the mother plant without variation, it would not prove that 

 hybridization had not taken place ; but it would only show that 

 there was a prepotent power in the Isabella to reproduce itself, 

 and the influence which the artificial fertilizing had produced was 

 entirely hidden in the present generation of seedlings. But in 



