332 



SCIENCE. 



[Vol. II., No. 31. 



made others. The advantage shown by crossing of 

 corn over that not crossed was as 151 exceeds 100, 

 and in tlie case of black wax-beans It was as 236 

 exceeds 100. Shice then similar exi^erinienls have 

 several times resulted in showing a large increase in 

 favor of crossing with foreign stock. 



In a review of Darwin's book, the Gardener's chron- 

 icle of England said in 1877, " It is certain that these 

 practical results will be a long time filtering into the 

 minds of those who will eventually profit most by 

 them." The results of my experiments have been 

 widely printed in the agricultural papers of the day, 

 and have been given at numerous farmers' institutes 

 and granges, beginning in the winter of 1877, nearly 

 six years ago; and yet I cannot learn that any other 

 person in this country has attempted similar experi- 

 ments. I will make one exception, in case of Prof. 

 W. A. Henry of Wisconsin university, who tried the 

 experiment in connection with myself. The results, 

 so far, fully accord with the prophetic statement above 

 quoted from the Gardener' s chronicle. 



In originating new varieties and races, see what has 

 already been done, largely in our own country, in a 

 haphazard way, with strawberries, raspberries, black- 

 berries, gooseberries, and grapes, to say nothing of 

 improvements in ornamental plants. 



I need hardly add, that some of the best results, 

 considering the time and means employed, have been 

 obtained by persons who have crossed and hybridized 

 according to some well-devised plan. 



Our varieties of fruits in cultivation have become 

 so numerous, that to describe them by the fruit and 

 foliage alone often baffles the skill of the most expert 

 pomologist. In the proceedings of the American 

 pomological society for 1877, 1879, and 1881, 1 have 

 shown that much help can be obtained by noticing 

 the peculiarities of the flowers of apples and pears. 

 The same is no doubt true, to some extent, with 

 grapes, peaches, gooseberries, and other fruits. 



Here is a promising field, full of interest to the 

 botanist, — a field where he may accomplish much to 

 ■ aid the horticulturist, and something to advance 

 science. A new variety of any cultivated fruit can 

 no longer be considered as well described, unless 

 some iiccount be made of the flowers. 



It has often been shown that many kinds of insects 

 are beneficial to plants by aiding the fertilization of 

 the flowers. The subject has still about it much that 

 is new. Even Mr. Darwin said he did not suppose 

 that he fully understood all the contrivances fof fer- 

 tilization in any one flower. 



If it be true, as my experiments during the past 

 six years help to indicate, that bumble-bees aid in 

 fertilizing red clover, then farmers should try to 

 encourage these interesting Insects, even though 

 they be disagreeable companions. Bumble-bees prefer 

 to raise their colonies in old nests of meadow-mice. 

 I mentioned in my last report, that it had been sug- 

 gested that we should not keep many cats, nor allow 

 hawks, foxes, or dogs to catch these mice; for they 

 make nests which are quite necessary for the bum- 

 ble-bees, which help fertilize our red clover, and 

 thereby largely increase the yield of seed. 



Perhaps it may not be altogether visionary to pre- 

 dict that men will yet engage in raising bumble-bee 

 queens, and sell them to farmers at a fair profit, for 

 starting colonies to improve the yield of clover-seed. 

 We may yet have conventions and societies where 

 the leading object shall be to discuss the merits of 

 different sorts of bumble-bees. 



A few years ago experiment-stations in Europe 

 began testing seeds which were offered for sale in the 

 markets. Adulterations were discovered most ingen- 

 ious in character, harmful in effect, and remarkable 

 in amount. 



The more the subject was investigated, the worse 

 it seemed to be. Something of the same sort has 

 been undertaken in this country, showing that even 

 in Michigan some worthless seeds are put on the 

 market. In 1877 and later I tested large numbers of 

 vegetable-seeds purchased of fifteen of our large 

 dealers and growers. Not one of these is free from 

 selling seeds that are worthless. The remedy is not 

 easy. On account of its effect on their advertising, 

 publishers are unwilling to print for their readers the 

 results of these experiments. Only a few peojile can 

 acquire the information after experiments are made. 



In making tests of seeds, we still lack information 

 in regard to the surest and best mode of testing each 

 sort. Here is a good work for some accurate and in- 

 genious scientist to invent new apparatus, learn the 

 proper amount of heat, air, and moisture, for produ- 

 cing the best results, find out whether seeds will 

 thrive best with a constant temperature, or a varia- 

 ble temperature; and learn the best modes of preserv- 

 ing seeds alive from one year to another. 



I need hardly mention to intelligent students, that 

 there is an extensive field, a very attractive one, in 

 the study of fungi. The agriculturist who deals with 

 plants, not only wants to know the kinds, but the re- 

 quirements which are favorable or unfavorable to 

 their development. In the study of effectual reme- 

 dies against fungi, something has been done; but 

 there is still much demand for more knowledge. 

 Successful experiments in regard to fungi are not 

 likely to be made except by botanists. 



I have only glanced at a few points where the 

 biologist can find interesting work which will give 

 threefold returns by advancing science, helping 

 to elevate agriculture, and benefiting our country. 

 There are many experiment-stations in Europe, and 

 some in this country. We hope their number may 

 soon increase, and that liberal and permanent endow- 

 ments will not be lacking. This association, and all 

 other societies working in the interest of science, can 

 render a great service by doing what they can to en- 

 courage experiments in all departmenis of agriculture. 

 Men can be encouraged to prepare papers, and com- 

 mittees can make reports pertaining to the subject. 

 There is a need of thorough state surveys, solely with 

 a view to the interests of agriculture and kindred 

 subjects. More knowledge of our soils, water, build- 

 ing-materials, plants, timber, injurious fungi, insects, 

 and birds, would return to a state, fivefold the cost of 

 acquiring such Information. In brief, then, as one 

 of the humble workers in the interests of agriculture, 



