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JJOYA.Fi HOTJTTCULTURAL SOCIETY. 



taken much care to insure such result), then I expect to show, in 

 a new light, the value of that discovery. In fact, some of the 

 seeds so obtained have already vegetated ; and all I can say of them 

 is, that they look or lie like truth. But of this hereafter. I have 

 had too many disappointments to be confident of anything, even 

 when the things attempted were much less extreme than those 

 alluded to. 



You were kind enough formerly so to express yourself as to 

 some views I had long entertained as to certain effects which I 

 regarded as due to the agency of electricity, that I feel encou- 

 raged to suggest that some of those highly scientific Members 

 familiar with the action of that subtle element should follow out 

 experiments to test its influence on plant-life. The views, in a 

 paper of mine, to which you alluded, were, (1.) That I regarded 

 the times and seasons when the atmosphere was charged with 

 that element as most favourable for effecting crosses — crosses, 

 too, which I could not accomplish at other times ; (2.) that I held 

 like influences as most favourable for inducing rapid vegetation of 

 seeds. I further held, from repeated observations of the simul- 

 taneous vegetation of seeds long sown, that such vegetation was 

 due to that atmospheric condition which chemists ascribe to the 

 presence of ozone. 



I respectfully submit these matters to the Committee as worthy 

 of investigation. 



Be it due to whatever cause, I have, through an experience of 

 at least fifteen years, found certain times and seasons more pro- 

 pitious than others for effecting crosses, especially where the 

 affinity was remote. 



And of all the seasons I remember since I first tried my hand 

 that way (and that embraces a quarter of a century), I have found 

 none more favourable than the present for such things. I feel 

 assured you will have extraordinary things reported from those 

 who have been so engaged. 



I may only now instance one unusual cross I have effected this 

 season (and that to hang a question on it) a cross which utterly 

 baffled me last year, namely, a cross by Rhododendron Edgworthii 

 on Azalea (Indica) stella, accomplished by the short pair of anthers, 

 a cross which I last year failed to effect with either the short or 

 the long stamens, though I repeatedly tried on the same plant on 

 which I have effected it this season. And I notice it now less as 

 an extreme cross than as indicative of an influence which I had 



