i8o 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



May, 1910 



The increasing tendency to adopt the gravity system of 

 water circulation is another economical move, for it per- 

 mits, the suppression of the pump. The mechanical lubri- 

 cators that were formerly in general use have been 

 abandoned in favor of a single pump located in the crank 

 case, which is not only less expensive to build and assemble, 

 but makes lubrication as positive and unfailing as it well 

 can be. The magneto is now the standard equipment even 

 for cars of very low price; and quite frequently it is the 

 sole means of ignition. An advantage that may be gained 

 through its use is that the spark may be maintained at a 

 fixed point, and therefore the spark control lever and its 

 connections may be done away with. The locating of the 

 clutch and brake pedals on the gear case reduces the cost 

 of assembling, for when they are hung on a rod passing 

 across the frame, as was the practice in former years, ac- 

 curate fitting is an absolute and costly necessity. When the 

 engine, change speed gear and rear axle are separate units, 

 assembling is complicated by the necessity for setting them 

 accurately in line; in a great number of 19 10 cars the 

 change speed gear is either built in with the engine or the 

 rear axle, and the cost of assembling is reduced in con- 

 sequence. 



In spite of the excellence of the 19 10 cars, it must not 

 be assumed that the limit of perfection has been reached. 

 Some of the work turned out by the designers shows that 

 they have followed a common path, but in many cases there 



are differences that are not easy to reconcile. The per- 

 fected car cannot come until the efficiency of one definite 

 construction has been recognized, and its proper propor- 

 tions demonstrated. The great variance in the designs of 

 to-day is evidence in itself that there is still much to learn, 

 for otherwise as an example, there would be less difference 

 in the dimensions of engine bearings than is now noticeable 

 in different makes of engines of the same power. The 

 relation of bore to stroke is the subject of a vast difference 

 of opinion at the present time, and even the relative length 

 of the connecting rod is by no means fixed. 



Having produced cars that will run, and that can be de- 

 pended on for steady service, the problems now before the 

 designer have to do with the increase of efficiency and 

 economy of operation. At the present time it is doubtful 

 If any manufacturer knows what proportion of the power 

 of his engine Is absorbed in operating the valves, or in 

 driving the magneto and pump, but these and other far more 

 complicated details must be worked out in the future models. 



If the principles of the present engine are adhered to, 

 the coming years will bring a closer and more accurate 

 knowledge of the cycle, and a general adoption of the 

 features and relative dimensions that survive the ordeal 

 of usage. For the car owner this will mean greater econ- 

 omy in the use of fuel, increased simplicity in construction, 

 and the reduction in price that Is the invariable result of 

 standardization. 



The Alteration of the Colors of Flowers by Cultivation 



By Prof. F. Hildebrand 



N GENERAL, all the flowers of the same 

 species, in the wild state, have the same 

 color. For example, all plants of crow- 

 foot or buttercup and dandelion have 

 yellow flowers. In a few species, different 

 colors are found. For example, the 

 flowers of the milkwort {Poly gala vul- 

 garis) may be blue, violet, red, or white. Much greater 

 variation is shown by cultivated plants. In these the varia- 

 tion of color of the flowers appeared long ago, but in recent 

 years, many new colors have been produced which had 

 either not hitherto been observed, or which, if they did 

 appear occasionally, were not selected for preservation and 

 development. The floriculturists of the present day care- 

 fully observe and endeavor to fix every new shade, even if 

 It is not particularly beautiful, for the desideratum is nov- 

 elty, and there is no telling what will please the popular 

 taste. But in these attempts to obtain new colors in flowers, 

 the propagator is entirely dependent upon the innate pre- 

 disposition of the particular species with which he is work- 

 ing. He can by no means obtain every desired color. In 

 the following sketch will be mentioned, first, a few cases of 

 species in which a color has been obtained, which was for- 

 merly considered impossible. Some other examples will be 

 adduced to show that in certain species a great many new 

 colors and shades, but not all colors have been obtained. 

 Finally, a few other cases will be quoted in which the flowers 

 of a species have shown little or no variation In color dur- 

 ing many years of cultivation. 



A species of primrose {Primula acaulis) in the wild state, 

 always has lemon yellow flowers which vary only slightly in 

 tint. Cultivation has produced both lighter and darker 

 shades but, until recently, no color but yellow. Hence it was 

 the more surprising when, a few years ago, a pure blue 



variety was produced, which has since retained its general 

 color but has developed all shades, from the palest sky-blue 

 to the deep blue of the corn-flower. The Chinese primrose 

 {Primula sinensis), when cultivated in the garden, bore 

 until recently only red and white flowers. In this species, 

 also, other colors have lately been produced, not only violet 

 but also blue, though not so pure a blue as that of the species 

 first mentioned. Another example Is offered by the 

 gladiolus, which formerly bore only white and red flowers 

 but has recently developed a blue-flowering variety. A case 

 of a somewhat different character is presented by the asters, 

 which have long shown a great variety of colors, but in 

 which recently a great many new shades have been pro- 

 duced, including some which would not at one time have 

 been considered beautiful, for example, copper-color. 



Very numerous, on the other hand, are the species which 

 have long shown great variation in color and have recently 

 developed many new shades, with the exception of blue. 

 Especially conspicuous in this connection is the dahlia, which 

 is now found in every color except blue, although many 

 propagators are making earnest efforts to produce a blue 

 dahlia, which would bring great profit to its originator. A 

 blue carnation would be equally valuable but it has not yet 

 been produced, although the colors of carnations have lately 

 been enriched by many new shades. The new varieties, of 

 canna also show great diversity of color, including almost 

 pure white and a beautiful light pink, but a blue canna has 

 not yet appeared. In the begonia not only blue is lacking, 

 but also all shades from red to violet. Finally, we may 

 mention the variety of poppy called the Shirley, which is 

 greatly admired for its play of color. Here, however, the 

 colors range only from white to rose and vermillion. Blue 

 and violet colors are completely wanting and so is yellow, 

 which is very common in the begonia. 



