10 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ JANUARY, 
ON CROSS-BREEDING PELARGONIUMS.—No. I. 
HE artificial fertilization and propagation from seed of the Scarlet Pelar¬ 
gonium, to obtain new and improved varieties—the last division of my 
subject—I had hoped to have been able to have treated upon in one paper? 
but I find it to be too comprehensive to admit of justice being done to 
it within the limits of my previous contributions, and I must therefore subdivide 
it. An exhaustive article upon the hybridization of the Pelargonium family 
would contain so many points of interest, and subjects for theoretical discussion, 
that a volume would scarcely contain it; therefore I purpose to confine my 
remarks to artificial fertilization, and to adhere closely to the practical part of 
the subject, giving only the results of my observations, which I hope may bo 
useful to others carrying on similar experiments. 
Presuming that I am addressing myself to the amateur, and probably to the 
novice, in cross-breeding, I purpose giving in detail the method I adopt. In the 
first place, then, I would urge upon all who undertake even so trivial a work as the 
fertilization of a flower, to do it with method and preconceived design, to note 
the means employed with scientific precision, and to observe with accuracy the 
results ; for should the data and experience so obtained prove of no ulterior 
value, they will, at any rate, afford many a useful hint to the manipulator for his 
onward guidance, and immensely enhance the pleasure as well as the interest of 
his undertaking. 
To commence breeding for new varieties of the Pelargonium, whether for 
foliage or flower, the first thing requisite is to possess the best varieties for the 
purpose. In my former papers I have endeavoured to indicate those varieties 
which in each class I considered the best, at the same time pointing out their 
qualities and deficiencies, also giving my idea of the improvements desirable to be 
attained. But I would have every one form his own ideal standard of perfection, 
and aim to attain to it. 
The next requisites are the tools to work with. I use a stool of convenient 
height on which to place the plant to be operated upon, and a small wooden tray 
with divisions, containing a fairly powerful magnifier (I employ the eye-piece of 
an old microscope), a narrow-bladed, sharp-pointed knife, fixed in a long, narrow 
bone handle, a pair of sharp-pointed (grape) scissors, a small pair of sharp-pointed, 
well-adjusted forceps, a kind of straight blow-pipe, an old-fashioned watch-glass, 
two or three camel-hair pencils, a few tiny bottles fitted with air-tight corks, a 
number of small slips of white card, pierced.at one end with a piece of fine wire 
two inches long passed through and secured by a twist, a number of small 
squares of white demy paper, four note-books, and a lead pencil. 
I will now suppose that I have decided upon crossing two plants for an ideal 
result, and that the mother or intended seed-bearer is before me, and my tools 
at hand. I first proceed to emasculate the pip or pips whose corollas have 
expanded, by removing the stamens by means of my sharp-pointed knife, taking 
