OF THE IMPROVEMENT OF RACES. 315 



for the perfect production of either the one or the 

 other are elaborated. Of this fact, the first produce 

 of the Black Eagle Cherry tree afforded a striking 

 example. A part of it was sent, with other cherries, 

 to the Horticultural Society; and it was then, in the 

 Fruit Committee, pronounced good for nothing. It 

 was so bad, that Mr. Knight, who raised it, would 

 most certainly have taken off the head of the tree 

 and employed its stem as a stock, but that it had been 

 called the property of one of his children, who sowed 

 the seed which produced it, and who felt very anxious 

 for its preservation. It has now become one of the 

 richest and finest fruits of its species which we pos- 

 sess. 



It may be expected that some mention should here 

 be made of double flowers, and of the manner in 

 which they are to be obtained. But I confess myself 

 unable to discover, either in the writings of physiolo- 

 gists, or in the experience of gardeners, or in the 

 nature of plants themselves, any sufficient clue to an 

 explanation of the causes to which their origin may 

 be ascribed. There are, however, several facts ap- 

 parently connected with the subject, which deserve 

 mention. 



A double flower, properly so called,* is one in 



which the natural production of stamens or pistils is 



t 



* What ia called a Double Dahlia is misnamed; and so are 

 all so-called doable Composite flowers. The appearance of doubling 

 is caused in these plants by a mere alteration of the florets of 

 their disk into the form of florets of the ray; a very different 

 thing from double flowers. (83.) 



