Germination is often 
scanty in the first year 
as this pot shows 
The seeds (50) are care- 
fully placed in the soil 
and then lightly covered 
RAISING NEW ROSES 
FROM SEED 
WALTER VAN FLEET 
Physiologist, U. S. Dept, of Agriculture 
Five hundred hybrid seeds in this tray planted Nov. 17, 
1919 had given only this stand of plants by June 4, 1920 
[Editor’s Note: Our readers have become more or less familiar with the fact that Dr. Dan Fleet has devoted many years of effort to 
raising new Roses for American gardens, and that we are to-day enriched by such results of his labors as Silver Moon, Dr. Van Fleet, etc. 
Occasional reference of his work has brought forth a certain number of requests from among our readers as to the way of doing it. And so 
Dr. Van Fleet tells his own story here. Plant hybridisation holds great fascination. It must ever be a labor of love, in which the 
achievement is the great prise. Hence it is a field of opportunity for the true amateur to be priced in love, not money — in the ever 
present thought that one’ s efforts may be of benefit to the world. The work cant be hurried, patience must be exercised for nature’s own 
methods must simply be given direction. The only real “mystery” in hybridising is the great patience that the worker must exercise.] 
gOSE heps or fruits vary greatly in their time of ripening, 
according to the species from which the seed-bearing 
variety has descended. Rugosa Roses, the new Rosa 
Hugonis, R. lutea, and a few other species, both native 
and exotic, ripen the hep as early as July and August and they 
had best be collected before they soften; but the great majority 
of cultivated varieties, including the Teas, Bourbons, Hybrid- 
teas, Hybrid-perpetuals, Multiflora and Wichuraiana climbers, 
do not mature until the fall or early winter. 
Opinions differ greatly as to the degree of ripeness best favor- 
ing germination of the contained seeds, some growers allowing 
the heps to remain until well frosted and even partially decayed 
on the plants. But in my own experience best results follow 
gathering the fruits when well colored but still firm. The bony 
WHAT WONDERS FOR FUTURE YEARS LIE HIDDEN HERE? 
In this little glass house and adjoining frame all the manipulation of the seed cleaning, saving and germinat- 
ing are carried on. The seed pots are held for five years to be sure that every seed has its chance to grow 
370 
