THE PRODUCTION OF NEW VARIETIES OF FRUIT. 



9 



being capable of any artificial union. Thus the different species of 

 Strawberry, of the gourd or melon family, intermix with the gi-eatest 

 facility, there being a great accordance between them in general struc- 

 ture and constitution. But no one has ever succeeded in compelling the 

 pear to fertilize the apple, nor the gooseberry the current. And as spe- 

 cies that are very dissimilar appear to have some natural impediment 

 which prevents their reciprocal fertilization, so does this obstacle, of 

 whatever nature it may be, present an insuperable bar to the intercourse 

 of the different genera. All the stories that are current as to the inter- 

 mixture of oranges and pomegranates, of roses and black currants, and 

 the Kke, may therefore be set down to pure invention." 



In practice this power of improving varieties by crossing is very 

 largely resorted to by gardeners at the present day. Not only in fruit- 

 trees, but in ornamental trees, shrubs, and plants, and especially in 

 florists' flowers, it lias been carried to a great extent. The great number 

 of new and beautiful Roses, Azaleas, Camellias, Fuchsias, Dahlias, and 

 other flowering plants so splendid in color and perfect in form, owe their 

 origin to cai-efnl cross-breeding. 



In the amelioration of fruits it is by far the most certain and satisfac- 

 tory process yet discovered. Its results are more speedily obtained, and 

 correspond much more closely to our aim, than those procured by succes- 

 sive reproduction. 



In order to obtain a new variety of a certain character, it is only neces- 

 sary to select two parents of well known habits, and which are both 

 A'arieties of the same or nearly allied species, and cross them for a new 

 and intermediate variety. Thus, if we have a very early but insipid 

 and worthless sort of pear, and desire to raise from it a variety both 

 early and of fine flavor, we should fertilize some of its pistils with the 

 pollen of the best flavored variety of a little later maturity. Among the 

 seedlings produced we should look for early pears of good quality, and at 

 least for one or two varieties nearly or quite as early as the female 

 parent, and as delicious as the male. If we have a very small but highly 

 flavored pear, and wish for a larger pear with a somewhat similar flavor, 

 we must fertilize the first with the pollen of a large and handsome sort. 

 If we desire to impart the quality of lateness to a very choice plum, we 

 must look out for a late variety as the mother, and cross it with our 

 best flavored sort. If we desire to impart hardiness to a tender fruit, 

 we must undertake a cross between it and a much hai-dier sort ; if we 

 seek greater beauty of color or vigor of growth, we must insure these 

 qualities by selecting one parent having such quality strongly marked. 



As the seeds produced by cross fertilization are not found to produce 

 precisely the same varieties, though they will nearly all partake of the 

 mixed character of the parents, it follows that we shall be most success- 

 ful in obtaining precisely all we hope for in the new race in proportion 

 to the number of our cross-bred seedlings ; some of which may be infe- 

 rior, as well as some superior to the parents. It is always well, there- 

 fore, to cross several flowers at once on the same plant, when a single 

 blossom does not produce a number of seeds. 



We should observe here, that those who devote their time to raising 

 new varieties must bear in mind that it is not always by the first fruits 

 of a seedling that it should be judged. Some of the finest varieties require 

 a considerable age before their best qualities develop themselves, as it is 

 only when the tree has arrived at some degree of maturity that its secre- 



