RAISING NEW VARIETIES 83 



as far more probable that N. rubra was self- 

 fertilised. 



In 1852 and 1853 hybrids between varieties 

 of A^^. Lotus and N. rubra, the latter acting 

 as seed-parent, were obtained in both Belgium 

 and Germany. Much later, in 1885, N. Lotus 

 was used as female parent and fertiUsed with 

 pollen of AT. Devoniensis. The result was 

 N. Kewensis. Though the plant was not 

 propagated, identical plants were later ob- 

 tained in America where the offspring persists 

 under the same name. 



In America much excellent work has been 

 done. Especially the development of the 

 Brachyceras group has received much atten- 

 tion. Though in Germany, in the early 

 sixties. Professor Caspary had devoted much 

 attention to this group, the results obtained 

 were not preserved and it remained for 

 Mr. W. Tricker to originate most of the 

 hybrids now belonging to this group. But 

 the Lotus group also received its share and 

 it is to such men as Gurney, Tricker, Stur- 

 tevant, Bissett, Grey and Ames that we are 



