88 
METHODS OF IMPROVING INDIGENOUS PLANTS. 
plants. Digitalis fiirpurea and its variety alba would doubtless form a very pretty 
hybrid, and so would Beionica officinalis and its white-flowered variety, under 
suitable cultivation. Some of the hardy Geraniums would hybridize favourably ; 
Saxifraga granulata^ fertilized with the charming little S. oppositifolia^ might 
occasion an interesting variation ; the blue and white Gentians would assuredly 
compose an agreeable mixture ; and we are not sure that something novel might 
not be obtained by hybridizing Primroses and Cowslips. Especially, we conceive 
that Pansies would be likely to imbibe some of the fragrance of Viola odorata^ if 
the seed of flowers impregnated with either the blue or white sort were duly raised. 
On the whole question there is ample room for experiment, and much encourage- 
ment to hope for a prosperous issue. 
One consideration relative to the practice of hybridizing is of the utmost moment. 
All hybrids take more of the nature and habit of the female parent than the male ; 
and therefore, where the flowers are only wished to be altered in size or colour, and 
the growth very slightly modified, the species in which the latter approaches 
nearest the desired model should be fixed upon for the female. And where, too, 
the intention is to blend a handsome tender plant with a less showy hardy one, in 
order to procure a hybrid superior to the hardy species which will endure constant 
exposure to the open air, the hardier of the two ought to receive the pollen of the 
other, and be the female parent. 
Unable to furnish a list of the best native plants which we had prepared, for 
want of room, we shall just remark briefly on two or three particular tribes. The 
most extensive class consists of herbaceous species, including bulbs ; and these are 
largely employed in decorating the margins of shrubberies, or the borders on the 
sides of walks that traverse pleasure-ground plantations or woods. It can scarcely 
be said that such plants are ever cultivated. They exist, it is true, from season to 
season, and spread abroad each summer, and are as often contracted. They are not 
shifted, they are not separated, except to take from them the newly-formed and 
luxuriant portions ; and because they do not improve themselves, it is doubted 
whether they are capable of amelioration. Let them be placed beyond the shade 
of trees, when they require it, and parted and moved every year, destroying the 
old and weakly portions, and they will assume quite a fresh character, and rank 
with the best of our hardy exotics. 
A smaller tribe seems formed purposely for covering miniature mounds and 
detached masses of rock ; and we are anxious to see them more generally used. 
The chief of them are Thymus serpyllum^ Sedum reflexum and acre^ Semper- 
vivum tectorum^ and Saxifraga oppositifolia. We would have little grass mounds 
made in retired parts of the pleasure-garden for the wild Thyme, and pieces of 
rock laid down carelessly in the turf, in the like situations, for the other species, 
and let them cover these with a carpet of their singular leaves or pretty 
blossoms. Exotic species should not, however, be excluded from fulfilling a 
similar ofllce. 
