HORTICULTURAL JOURNAL. 09 



the most productive of distinct varieties of flowers, what advantage shall 

 we take of the fact? la. flowers we seek varieties, and the more distinct the 

 better. In fruits we seek just the condition we have noticed in the large 

 •size seed vessels, and although I have recited above a variety of modes of 

 swelling fruits, I am induced to believe there is one mode beyond any other 

 for this purpose, and that is, by proper cross-fertilizing. The swelling of 

 the Petunia seed vessels is precisely similar to the swelling of the fruits, 

 such as the strawberry, peach, melon, etc. Take a peach tree of good sized 

 fruit and watch its development. Vv r e shall find a very marked difference in 

 the fruit, as to size and flavor. Some very large, some very small, and the 

 greater part intermediate. 



The circumstances of culture, air, light, etc., seem to be the same for all, 

 but what occasions here and there a monstrous fruit? I am inclined to at- 

 tribute it to accidental cross-fertilization, and one of the harmonizing class 

 or character just referred to. It seems to be the case with all our fruits, 

 and where no artificial means have been resorted to for the purpose of 

 swelling the fruit, among all the speculations as to the cause of it, crossing 

 is never thought of. Take the strawberry patch. With apparently equal 

 soil and culture here and there is a monstrous fruit, and often the plant 

 bearing such fruit is set apart as a breeder, when behold ! the progeny is no 

 better than those of the original stock. Culture in this and every case will 

 do much, but proper fecundation :may do as much more. Take the melon 

 patch ! You notice somewhere a large melon, and on tasting it you are dis- 

 appointed to find the mixed flavor of a cucumber with a nutmeg, cantelope 

 or musk melon; again, you see a round, smooth looking watermelon with a 

 nipple or a half formed neck, you taste it and it is as bitter as a gourd. 

 The case of the melons supports the views I have put forth. The change 

 in the character of the fruit, both as to size and flavor was not last years' 

 doings; it wa3 not the production of a new variety by cross-fertilization 

 shewing itself in the seeds. It was the immediate effect of fecundation 

 upon the fruit, for the same vine which bore the fruit with the gourd taste, 

 will bear also a good watermelon. Every skilful gardener knows the neces- 

 sity of keeping his vines remote from different kinds, but all the while is 

 looking more to the effect upon his seeds than upon his fruit. If you have 

 a superior kind of melon, self-impregnation is the safest course for obtain- 

 ing identical and good fruits; but there is a field open before us for the 

 study of what kinds are the best adapted to plant together in order to get 

 size and desirable mixed qualities, not in the produce from the seed/ but in 

 the fruit itself as the immediate result from crossing, 



