492 APPENDIX. 
obtain plants bearing double instead of single flowers. There is 
first the crossing of single flowers with double ones, effected by plant- 
ing a double-flowered plant in proximity to a single-flowered one; 
but this, it is obvious, could lead to no important results, since the 
double flowers, having no pollen, could not possibly influence the 
seed, which is borne only by the single-flowered plants. Another 
plan is the degustation of the buds, that is to say, the chewing of 
the well-formed buds; it is held that the single plants can be recog- 
nised by their sweeter taste and greater consistence, and may thus 
be weeded out; but there is at least the disadvantage attending 
this method, that the plants, single as well as double, must all be 
grown up to the period when these buds are tolerably well advanced. 
A third method which has been adopted is, that of sowing the seeds at 
a particular lunar epoch, great confidence being placed im the plan of 
planting them during the last quarter of the moon, but such confidence 
is found to be misplaced. The plan of removing the stamens has had 
its supporters, but as this must be done at an early stage of development, 
and could only influence the result by diverting the vital force which 
would be expended in the maturation of the pollen, to the perfecting of 
the seeds, it is obvious that the plan is impracticable for all ordinary 
purposes, even if in any degree efficient, which from the plasticity of 
vegetable development, and the faculty of doubling which is inherent 
in the stock family, is not at all improbable. Still another mark, the 
presence of a fifth petal in the single or seed-bearing flower, has been 
held to indicate the assurance of obtaining a crop of double-flowered 
plants from seeds saved from flowers possessing this peculiarity. Toa 
certain extent, doubtless, this expectation would be realised, owing to 
the plasticity and inherent quality just alluded to, but the proportion 
would be too small for any useful practical purpose. 
“The gardeners of Erfurt,” observes M. Chaté, who has written a 
book! on the subject, in which he makes known a means of obtaining 
double-flowered stocks founded on more than fifty years’ practice in his 
family, “ have, for a long time, to a certain extent monopolised the sale- 
of seeds of these plants. To obtain these seeds, the Erfurt gardeners 
cultivate the flowers in pots, and place them on shelves in large green- 
houses, giving them only sufficient water to prevent them from dying. 
So cultivated the plants become weakened, the pods shortened, and the 
seeds less numerous, and better ripened; and these seeds give from 60 
to 70 per cent. of double flowers. 
“The seeds from these plants are said to be mostly of an abnormal 
shape, which is so striking that experienced cultivators are able to sepa- 
rate those which ees furnish double flowers from those which would 
produce ae ones.” 

: ‘Teaité des ence, per E. Giare: 
