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Account of some Mule Plants. 



in the Morello Cherry, to the improvement of which I wish 

 particularly to invite the attention of the experimental gar- 

 dener. 



The results of many experiments upon the different kinds 

 of Strawberries, which are cultivated in our gardens, led me, 

 some years ago, to conclude that we possess three distinct 

 species of that genus ; the Wood or Alpine, the Scarlet in 

 many states of variation, and the Hautbois. I failed to obtain 

 mule plants between the Alpine and the Scarlet, and Haut- 

 bois, which I inferred to be of distinct species, because they 

 did not, under favourable circumstances, breed at all with 

 each other. But I have subsequently seen, in the possession 

 of my friend, Mr. Williams, of Pitmaston, mule plants ob- 

 tained from the seeds both of the Scarlet, and Hautbois, and 

 the pollen of the Alpine Strawberry. One of these, which 

 sprang from the seed of the Hautbois, presents in its foliage 

 and habit the character of its female parent, without any 

 perceptible variation. It blossoms very freely, and its blos- 

 soms set well; but the growth of the fruit subsequently 

 remains very nearly stationary during the whole period in 

 which the Hautbois Strawberry grows, and ripens; after 

 which it swells and acquires maturity. It is then rich and 

 high flavoured, but of less size than the Hautbois, and without 

 seeds. Mr. Williams, however, informed me, that he had 

 once obtained a single seed, which afforded a mule plant in 

 every respect similar to its parent. I have sent a few plants 

 of each kind to our garden, and I believe the varieties will 

 be thought to deserve culture by those who are admirers of 

 the flavour of the Hautbois, and wish to prolong its season. 

 The plants in my garden afford a second blossom in autumn. 



