variance with our own, are not always improper. 
It is, comparatively, not long ago, since riding in 
a coach, was esteemed an effeminate and disgrace- 
ful indulgence for men. Such is the stability of 
human wisdom. 
It cannot be doubted but nature herself has sup- 
I)lied abundance of hybrid and cross-bred plants ; 
and by the employment of the means placed in our 
power, unexpected improvements may hereafter be 
effected in some of those i^roductions which are im- 
portant to the agriculturist. Hence the science, 
which has been the nui’sling of the garden, may 
become the labourer of the farm ; and, as well as 
affording gratification to the few, may afford bene- 
fits to the million. We ourselves have some expe- 
riments in progress, bearing on this subject ; and 
hoj^es are of course indulged that their results will 
prove more than merely amusing. 
The propagation of plants, with the aid of hyb- 
ridizing, has numerous advocates ; and as many of 
these proceed somewhat at random in their opera- 
tions, we will offer a few words for their consider- 
ation. In the reproduction both of animals and 
vegetables, it will at once be allowed that diseases 
and imperfections of the species are frequently — 
perhaps generally, transrrritted to the offspring. 
Allow this, and the converse will ensue ; that is, 
perfection will also be transmitted. Under this 
view of the subject it becomes of the highest im- 
portance that whenever we aim at raising seedlings 
of superior qualities, we should place the parent 
plants under the most favourable circumstances to 
arrive at the highest state of luxuriant growth. 
