BEES AS FRUIT-PRODUCERS. 



327 



from 100 to 200, or even 300, distinct fertilisations 

 for its perfect production. 



It would be unwise to omit a practical matter in 

 this connection. There is a tendency to a separation 

 of the sexes in the cultivated strawberry, which, 

 Darwin observes, "is far more strongly marked in 

 the United States than in Europe ; " and growers 

 would do well to note, that plants bearing unusually 

 large blossoms are frequently tending to become male, 

 and produce few fruits ; while those of the same 



Fig 71 -Strawberry (Fragaria vesca, Order Rosacea), Partly and 

 Fully Grown. 



Seed) ; u, Unfertilised ditto ; s', Withered Stigrna. 



variety, and under the same treatment, that produce 

 small blossoms, are tending to become female, and are 

 abundant bearers, while they yield few runners 

 Without care in selecting, the numerous runners of 

 the former would ultimately supplant the female 

 forms, and so ruin the stock for economic purposes 

 Lecturing, some while since, to several °f the Urges 

 arowers of strawberries in the kingdom, I found all 

 o-uite unaware of this fact-at least, on its scient.hc 



