crushed they stain like analine dye. Such a result could only be produced by a 

 combination of chemical influences more easily illustrated than explained. 



In the second of the three chief causes of diversity, assuming that each ovule is 

 fertilized by a single grain of pollen, it is not difficult to appreciate the practical im- 

 possibility of two grains of identical qualities effecting fertilization, when we know 

 that hundreds of grains fall upon the stigma in such varying conditions of maturity 

 and vigor that no two periods of crossing would be likely to find the same atom 

 were the production of duplicate atoms possible — in the most favorable condition to 

 successfully contend against its fellows in the race for the objective point. But 

 even assuming that such were available we are likely to be met, at the various times 

 of operation, by such varying degrees in the receptive condition of the stigma as to 

 interpose an insurmountable obstacle to the successful advancement of our prefer- 

 ence, and this varying condition of the stigma is not only influenced by the hour of 

 the day which we select for the work, but by the diverse weather conditions existing 

 at the time, which continually affect the situation for a period extending over from 

 one to three days. This reasoning must commend itself as sound when we see that 

 no two moments extending over an average of twenty-four working hours is likely 

 to present conditions so identical as to make duplicateure of variety possible by se- 

 lection, if such were the object of the operator. 



Having considered two of the predisposing causes of diversity in the hybrid plant, 

 we may now consider the third series of influences affecting the offspring of the two 

 selected varieties ; age, health and vigor of each and every parent on both sides. 

 Suppose, for example, we select one hundred plants on each side, of two varieties, 

 could anything be more impossible than to find exact duplicates of the desired con- 

 ditions on each side, and successfully balance these conditions with the view of 

 producing a perfectly adjusted organism by select cross-fertilization? Such a thing 

 is impossible and would be worse than absurd to attempt it. 



In considering briefly these influences of parentage on the product of such crosses, 

 we will find that the tendency is toward the most potent of each of the one hundred 

 examples or combinations of two hundred units, ranging from the most extreme in- 

 fluence of the pollen parent on the one side and graduated up to the point of balance 

 until overcome by the greater potency of the seed parent, thus covering every inter- 

 mediate grade of condition of vital forces with first a leaning toward 

 the peculiarities of the one parent, and then an apparent intermediate 

 condition of varying degrees of neutralization, until overcome by the greater 

 strength of the other, the effect is repeated to the opposite extreme with all its inter- 

 mediate influences on the offspring. If. however, these parents have been selected 

 with a proper knowledge of their qualities, frequent breaks will appear in the char- 

 acter of their offspring, opening up new fields of promise, and leading the operator 

 onward, ever onward, through the years of his activity, with ever increasing and 

 multiplying results upon which no limitations can be placed, until he ceases to make 

 use of his yearly increasing opportunities for further and greater advancement. And 

 if such breaks may be expected from the offspring of two varieties only, how much 

 mere numerous will be the results of this character when the use of parents diverse 

 beyond powers of description is increased "ad infinitum." 



Having endeavored to illustrate the impossibility of producing duplicates by a 

 series of crosses between two varieties, and limiting our example to one hundred in- 

 dividuals of one variety on each side, which may with every propriety be increased to 

 thousands, thereby materially increasing the strength of my contention, how great 

 must be the influence toward still greater diversity when we make these crosses be- 

 tween many thousands of varieties, each possessing some special individuality of a 

 much more distinct character than existed between the two varieties referred to in 

 my example. 



In view of the foregoing I therefore contend that as we multiply hybrids without 

 limit — as we should do — thereby increasing with their enhanced beauty and qualitv 

 the tendency to greater variability in their performance under changed conditions': 

 we should deal with the question of dissemination with a little of that great liberality 

 with which our efforts have been rewarded. "Freely we have received— freely give." 

 should be our motto, rather than striving to place limitations upon that which is 

 ready to reward to over-flowing when liberated by modern methods, and the applied 

 Knowledge of scientific principles 



