314 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



the next generation it might show itself distinctly without any 

 effort on our part to bring about such a result. 



A good plan of determining whether a plant is a true hybrid 

 or a mixture of two species is to plant a quantity of its seeds ; a 

 portion of the seedlings thus produced will be pretty sure to show 

 some of the characteristics of the original varieties; or, in other 

 words, the mixture will again separate, and a part will breed 

 back each to its original progenitor. 



The Allen's Hybrid Grape is said to be a hybrid between the 

 Yitis Labrusca and the Vitis Vinifera, two distinct species- By 

 growing a quantity of seedlings from it we hope to prove that 

 this is a fact, and if our position is correct, we will find a portion 

 of them showing more of the Vitis Vinifera form than their 

 parent, while others will show more of the Vitis Labrusca char- 

 acter. 



These difficulties which we have mentioned of determining the 

 cause that may have produced u certain change, ought not to 

 check us in our efforts in hybridizing. 



The world cares but little how a thing is produced, or where 

 it is from, for the people are only interested in the results. 



Our greatest danger lies in the fact that partial success will 

 often direct our thoughts into a region of false theories, from which 

 it is difficult to extricate ourselves without unlearning all that we 

 have previously learned. 



In all our efforts at hybridizing, the adaptation of the plants 

 to the circumstances under which they are to be grown should 

 engage our attention. 



If it is our object to produce a plant for this latitude, we should 

 avoid, if possible, crossing with a plant that is tender or other- 

 wise unsuitable. 



The aim in all of our operations should be to develop those 

 qualities that are valuable and discourage those that are not, for 

 these intercrossings will often produce an individual variety more 

 valuable to us than either of the parents. 



Again, you make take true superior varieties and cross them 

 and the result will be a kind that is very inferior. 



It is this uncertainty that makes the operation of hybridizing 

 plants so fascinating. If we could see exactly what the results 

 of our labor would be, it would rob it of half of its charms. 



When Lady Holland introduced the dahlia into England, in 

 1804, suppose some enterprising artist had undertaken to make a 



