266 CROSS IMPREGNATION. 



sub-varieties without end. It is amongst this last 

 description of plants that the art of cross impregna- 

 tion promises to be so useful an auxiliary in the 

 business of the fruit and kitchen gardener. 



The manoeuvre generally succeeds under the 

 following circumstances: the two plants whose pro- 

 perties are sought to be combined, must be nearly 

 allied varieties of the same family or genus, as apples 

 with apples ; cherries with cherries ; roses with roses; 

 pinks with pinks, &c. There must be a verisimili- 

 tude of structure ; and of the qualities of the juices 

 respectively. The pollen must be perfectly ripe when 

 used, and the stigma to which it is carried must also 

 be in its fully mature state. In order that the impreg- 

 nation may take place and be complete, it is the 

 custom of some florists to deprive the flower operated 

 on of its own stamina, to shade and shelter it if 

 necessary, and by displacing rival flowers near it, give 

 every chance and encouragement to the impregnated 

 flower to ripen its seeds. 



If a new and valuable variety' of fruit be thus 

 obtained, we must admit that the change originates 

 in, and is conveyed by, the impregnated seed. Hence 

 a question arises, will the seeds of this improved 

 variety continue the improvement, or do they after 

 the first generation go back to their originals ? This 

 question has not yet, perhaps, received an answer 

 from experience ; but if answered negatively, then we 

 conclude that it is not only like other improved fruit 

 trees in this respect, but also, that it is the impreg- 



