152 
related to the early stages of Zrichomanes. The protonemal 
threads are thickened at their junction with the sporophyte, and 
m 2-15 archegonia; the antheridia are nearer the ex- 
ich 
the ia es these cells suggestive of mycorhiza. The dis- 
ery pro 0 be of great interest, and a full description with 
ie a be published later in the Bulletin of the Torrey 
Botanical Club 
During the summer Professor McCloskie, of Princeton Uni- 
versity, spent some time in t erbarium and library working 
out the plants secured by a recent expedition from his institution 
to Pata: Sane Professor W. L. Bray, of the University of Texas, 
and Professor C. V. Piper, of the State Agricultural College at 
Pallenae, Washington were also in residence for some time for 
the purpose of consulting references and mounted plants from 
their respective regions. er workers outside of registered 
students who have visited the Garden for similar purposes are 
Mrs. A. M. Small, Dr. J. N. Rose and Mr. C. L. Pollard, of the 
United States National Museum, Mr. E. D. Merrill, of Washing- 
ton, and Professor B. L. Robinson, of Harvard. 
An interesting account of the progress of plant breeding in the 
United States is given b . Webber and E. A. Bessey in the 
yearbook of the United ne Department of Agriculture for 
1899, and reprinted in separate form. From this paper it 
appears that nearly all varieties of plants cultivated in America 
at the beginning of the present century were of European origin. 
Since that time great activity has been shown in this department 
of horticulture and immense nuns of forms have been derived 
replaced those of foreign origin. The development and improve- 
ment of American grown varieties was chiefly accomplished by 
means of the eas selection of seeds, especially in the earlier 
part of the period mentioned. Probably the first hybrid pro- 
duced in this ee was a cross between a St. Germain pear 
and a White Doyenne made by Mr. William Prince in 1806. 
