l62 MAINE) AGRICULTURAL EXPE;RIM]iNT STATION. I906. 



recent case of bud variation in which a tree of Coe's Golden 

 Drop has produced a branch which for several years has borne 

 red fruit. In every way except color both trees and fruit are 

 identical with Golden Drop. In California, in an Isabella vine- 

 yard belonging to J. F. Pierce of Santa Clara, several vines 

 sported in 1882. The fruit of these sports was very much 

 sweeter and altogether superior to the parent variety. It shows 

 .no tendency to reversion and is now extensively grown in Cali- 

 fornia under the name of Pierce, bringing a higher price than 

 any other of the American types. It is interesting to note, too, 

 that the Pierce is capable of reproducing itself from seed, thus 

 becoming the first of a race of native grapes.* The grape is 

 prone to bud variations and it is not uncommon to see a branch 

 bearing fruit which differs in size, color or flavor from that of 

 the remainder of the plant. The Golden Queen raspberry 

 originated as a sport from Cuthbert, formerly called Queen of 

 the Market, on the grounds of Ezra Stokes of Berlin, N. J., and 

 was introduced to public notice by J. T. Lovett. 



The list of bud varieties is a large one, and no doubt thou- 

 sands of variations which might have been the basis of new and 

 valuable strains have escaped the attention of horticulturists. 

 But it is not alone to the marked variations or sports that the 

 plant breeder will look for foundation stock. In fact the sud- 

 den or violent variations are always liable to reversion. 

 Nature's method of evolution, is a very good pattern to follow 

 in developing certain strains to meet human ideals. In the 

 experimental evolution which the horticulturist is practicing, a 

 definite course of action may be predicted. First, determine 

 upon the ideal of the improved type desired. Second, cul- 

 tivate and feed to encourage variation. Third, select through 

 successive generations buds, that is cuttings or scions, from 

 branches which bear fruit most nearly approaching the ideal. 



Organic evolution has taken place by the selection in each 

 generation of those differences which give the survivors a slight 

 advantage in the struggle for existence. Horticultural evolu- 

 tion, or the systematic production of better types of cultivated 

 plants by man, may take place by the selection of individuals 

 (buds) in each generation which most nearly conform to the 



* American Garden, 19, 514, il 



