CHAPTER VIII. 



THE EFFECTS OF CEOSS-FEETILIZATION IN PLANTS. 



There has been much discussion, both popular and 

 scientific, on the question of the effects of cross-fertilization 

 in plants. It is conceded by all authorities that there is an 

 eftect, the point at issue is mainly whether it is immediate or 

 manifests itself later. Most authorities now agree that it is 

 immediate in some cases at least. It is well known that in 

 some cases pollen has an immediate influence on the fruit or 

 seed. This has long been known to be the case in corn. As 

 long ago as 1858^ it was observed that when differently 

 colored varieties grew near each other they affected each 

 other's seed. Later experiments were tried b}' Dr. Savi and 

 Hildebrand. Both have come to the same conclusion. 

 P. Dudley^ writes as follows: "Indian corn is of several 

 colors, as blue, white, red and yellow. If these sorts are 

 planted by themselves, so that no other be near them they 

 will produce their own color ; but if you plant the blue corn 

 in one row of hills as we term them, and the white or yellow 

 in the next row, they will mix and interchange color." Dr. 

 Srurtevatit^ says: " Corn, the maize plant, shows in its 

 kernels the inffuence of cross-fertilization of the same year. 

 Some varieties seem to possess the power of refiisting either 



1 Darwin: Animals and plants under domestication, Vol. I. p. 430. 



2 Philosophical Transactions Abridgement, Vol. VI, Pt. II, p. 804-205. 

 Eellerman and Swingle, Second Annual Eep. Kansas Agrl.Exp. Station, 1889,p. 345 



3 Second Annual Rep. New York Agrl. Exp. Station p. 37-56, 



