628 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
August. 6, 1904. 
Pedigree Plant Breeding. 
In fulfilment of the promise made in the article on this 
subject that appeared in the issue of June 18th, we now 
endeavour to put forth as clearly as possible our ideas as to 
how pedigree stocks of plants; may be established and worked 
up. 
Obviously, the first point the prospective plant-breeder must 
decide for himself is upon: what family his labours shall be 
expended. The field is wide, for there is, in spite of the vast 
improvements of the last- half-century, ample room for further 
advancement, either 1 among flowers;, fruits;, or vegetables. 
I have no; wish to suggest any particular family, as that is 
to be chosen, the wisest plan being to take in hand one’s own 
particular 1 favourite;, study and investigate in order to ascertain, 
where there is most room for improvement, and having laid 
in a- plenteous supply of perseverance and patience, set to work 
with determination to achieve the goal of perfection before you. 
Let the ideal be high, and rest not content until that ideal is 
reached. 
Among flowering plants our aim should be; to produce a race 
of our particular favourite wherein, beauty of form and colour 
—the Tatter in as many distinct shades as possible—shall be 
combined with perfection of habit, robustness! of constitution, 
tuid a prolonged season, of flowering, both in individuals and 
also by raising early and later flowering varieties. In almost 
any family of flowering plants we shall find but- few varieties 
that fulfil all these requirements, even the best of their kind 
failing ini some essential point. 
Take, as am instance, the herbaceous Phlox, a family that 
has been immensely improved of late years. In the decussata 
section, Cocquelicot is; 'undoubtedly the very best; so far as 
colour goes, but it sadly fails ini habit and constitution;, while 
many of the most vigorous are of inferior colour. What we 
want is a Cocquelicot with larger flowers and more vigorous 
constitution. How shall we get: it? If we take the strongest 
grower of the nearest shade to- Cocquelicot and endeavour to 
produce our ideal from these, we are doomed to; disappointment, 
for we shall find in gaining vigour we lose colour, since there 
will hie; reversion to previous parentage,, showing immediately 
the importance of pedigree. In my opinion, the surest plan 
would be; to use a. strong-growing, large-flowered white with 
Cocquelicot, asi the foundation 1 . Make two; batches; of each 
variety, and in, one batch use the white as pollen-parent, 
making it the seed-parent of the other 1 batch. 
Keep the seedlings from, each batch separate, making a 
note, of pollen and seed patent of each batch. 
At, flowering time; separate each batch into groups of nearest 
shades, hut keep batches one and two unmixed. Next cross 
the best colours in the two, batches, but the light and in¬ 
different shades should again be crossed with Cocquelicot, 
making notes accordingly. Proceeding on these lines, the 
loioked-for gem will assuredly appear, but in the meantime we 
shall have accumulated a large stock of indifferent colours 
that a,re apparently of little worth ; we; can, however, make 
good' use of them yet. Upon, referring to; our note-book, we 
shall find a certain proportion of our stock of breeders have 
a prepotency of Cocquelicot blood, and these can be worked 
on same principle with other bright-coloured varieties, while 
those that contain most of the white blood can be crossed with 
any colour we choose;, always, however, keeping the; different 
crosses; separate- and distinctly recorded. 
In the course of a few years we; should be in possession of 
a race of Phlox of which we should know the parentage of 
every variety, and when, we wish to produce an improved form 
of a certain, colour, a glance at our pedigree register will tell 
us which lias the greatest amount of the desired shade latent 
within -its tissues, and can, at once; set definitely to work with 
that. 
This example will suffice to show on, what lines to; work with 
any family of flowering plants', and although, of course, the 
ideals in the case of fruits and vegetables are more; in the 
direction of improve,d flavour and shape, the same methods 
answer equally well. Heather Bell. 
The Foxglove. 
There are some even still who, regard the Digitalis as of 
of place altogether both in the garden and garden conference 
They speak of its vulgarity, but, in doing so, exhibit their ow 
Cherish the idea as, they will, the Foxglove is neverthele, 
coming more to; the front each yeai;, and justly sc. 
The number is ever increasing who discern it with favor 
able eyes. Again, we have those persons who view it 
mediocrity; they take it in moderate degree, preferring 
cultivate it in the wild garden or shrubbery, b 
objecting to its presence in the garden proper. In doing , 
they give; it, justice, in. allowing it the full benefit of exhibit it 
its blooms to advantage, and agreeing with its natural sir 
roundings. 
I do; not object to; its presence; in the garden proper, bi 
allow it, much advancement to; many of the so-called gems 
horticulture. Take it as we will, however, it is a flower • 
distinctive beauty, demanding a place in every establishmen 
There are numerous improved forms of Digitalis to be hr 
from seed, purchasable ait- a very cheap rate, and of mar 
assorted colours. The species; D. gramdiflora, is probably tl 
best of the perennial Foxgloves. * It has Sturdy, thiokly-foliagi 
stems, 2 ft. or 3 ft. high, and numerous yellow flowers. I 
alba is a pure white, exceedingly beautiful, and vying wit 
many “ Lilies of the field ” in purity. Puri+y would no 
indeed, be out of place as a name for this splendid Foxglove. 
In the common wild type; is always apparent the charm th. 
evokes; so much interest on the part, of the tourist while pas> 
ins through its; native haunts, which, if in Scotland, may 1 
either the; rugged heather-clad hillside', or among the bracken 
’neath the Pine® in some bomniei glen. 
“ Ask the; lovers what they think of the Foxglove!” They ai 
sure to praise it. Now it is, exceptional for them to look ; 
anything but each other—their own particular “ dear flower 
But even their blind eyes perceive the Foxglove;; it is so< hr 
liant,. Excuse the “ bull.” 
In shade or sunshine will it flourish, and in almost any so. 
W'here it, will not grow little or no vegetation need be lookt 
for, and where it, cannot display its long flower-spikes in 
graceful a,nd becoming manner, some extraordinary idealism- 
horticultural merit must be very close at hand, as it not on] 
flowers freely, but is also very fertile;, much seed is produce; 
and sown naturally. 
The Foxgloves, are better grown somewhere groupe 
together by themselves, for reason, of the; many seedlings s 
apt to come up, where; not required, among other crops. 
The roots, however, being unlike those of such plants as tl 
Epilobium®, are not troublesome; after tire offending youngste;, 
have been pulled up by the head -and laid on the refuse heap. 
James P. Dickson. 
Viburnum Sargcnti. 
The above species oif Guelder Rose comes from Noith Chin; 
East. Siberia, and the northern half of Japan. It makes 
bush about 3 yards; high when full grown,. The three-lobe 
leaves show that it is closely allied to; the British V. Opulu-i 
while the same or a closely allied form is widely distribute 
over North America, and variously named Y. americapum, I 
Oxyooccus, and V. edule;. The, leave® of V. Sargenti seei; 
longer and moire deeply lobed than those of our native specie 1 
measuring about 3T in. to 5 in. long, and 2 in. to; 31 in. widi 
A large bush 1 of it is very Auriferous, and the corymbs aa 
made up of small fertile flowers in. the 1 centre;, surrounded h 
a, ray or circle of large white, barren flowers, which -add s ' 
much to the beauty of tire inflorescence! a® a, whole. An illus 
tratiom of a large bush as well as a smaller one of a, flowerin. 
and a leafy spray are given in M oiler's; “ Deutsche Gartne 
Zeiitung,” the text accompanying it being from the pen o-f Mi 
Alfred Rehder, of the, Arnold Arboretum, North America. 
