Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-12-08
Hybridization Of Apples.

Mr.. A. Webster, of East BoNbury, writing |
us in reply to inquiries about the origin Of
the so called Mortified Beauty Grab " Che |
most perfect msnomer, 10y the way that we
know Of in the fruit lne) says 81 have
been trying to arrive at correct theory Of
this apple. The seed was from a small tree
Of the yellow Siberian crab, isolated from
all other bearing apple trees How, then,
could pollen from another tree futilize its
blossoms Probably by the agency Of in
sects, honey bees, humble bees, etc. BY
what variety of apple was the pollen fur
nished Not by any ordinary Seeding, or
cider apple but by some variety Of marked
character of recognized excellence, which,
like a thoroughbred animal, should mark its
progeny. ! think it was the Bethel for it
resembles that variety in several points, and
! know there were bearing trees Of that sort
in several places within mile"
Mr. Webster goes on 10 say Ought We
not to be encouraged by this remarkable re-
suit of natural hybridzation, to endcayor 10
obtain an entirely new list Of apples that
shall combine the cxceleucios OF our choicest
cultivated sorts with Siberian hardness and
productiveness Let us not rely on pro-
miscuous seeds, or chance fertilization, but
carefully select our varieties and fertilize 10y
hand. win you write, or procure to be
written, an editorial that shall call public
attention to this important subject, and give
practical directions so plain that noyices and
even smart boys and ladies may successfully
engage in it 2"
This matter of the artificial crossing of
species and varieties, for the purpose of
meeting their desirable qualities in single
sort, is one quite as important as Mr.. Web
ster regards it. 1t has already been prac-
ticed extensively upon grapes, and other
fruits, in which the result can be quickly
reached but few have had the patience to
experiment upon the apple. for the fruiting
Of new seedlings from which we must wait
so many years. OF those few who have
made the attempt, still fewer have yet
reached any satisfactory results. 1t is evil
dent that there can be no "money in ex-
periments like this; they must be pursued
for the mere love Of experiment, or Of doing
good. For were a superior new variety pro-
duced, it could not be sold extensively until
it had been extensively tested and this ex-
tensiye testing, in the case of the apple, would
be equivalent TO so extensive dissemina-
ton, that the variety would be entirely be-
yond the control Of the originator, long be-
fore he would find a paying demand for it,.
We do not see how hortculturists could be
encouraged to pursue such long, difficult and
uncertain experiments, unless by liberal re-
wards offered by the government, or by ag-
ricultura or horticultural societies which
have accumulated funds in their treasures,
applicable to such purposes Perhaps the
Vermont State Agricultural Society, with
its accumulation Of $4,000 might be per-
shaded to appropriate 81 900 for the purpose,
payable in ten years, and make it mp by an
annual deduction of 300, from its trottng
premiums - win Mr.. Webster undertake
to get up petition to that effect
Among the most patient and painstaking
hybrdists in this country, who have under
taken TO cross the common apple (pWus
maiH) with the Siberian Crab (ppus bac-
eaia) Mr.. c. G. Pringle, Of Charlotte, one OF
the members of our State Board Of Agricul-
ture has probably been the longest engaged
in this work. lie was stimulated to the ex.
pertinent, as Mr.. Webster has been 10 the
suggestion, by the discovery OF an accidental
hybrid, which has been somewhat dissem
mated, under the nance " Pringle's Sweet
1t is not so large as the Mortified Beauty
and has rather more of the Siberian charac
ter in fruit and tree, yet we consderi it a de
sirable addition to our list Of very hardy and
productive apples. Since that variety came
into fruit, Mr.. Pringle has raised large
number of hybrid seedlings, none of which
we think have yet fruited but many Of
them must be near fruiting by this time
and we hope, and hardly doubt that some
among them win prove TO be valuable. As
Mr.. Pringle has had large experience in
hybridizing not only the apple, but large
variety of other cultivated plants, some OF
which (ike the Snowflake and Alpha pota
toes, and tho Conqueror tomato) have at
tanned an almost worldwide fame he is the
most competent person in the state to give
instruction in the method of operation in by.
bndizing and crossing plants, and we trust
that he may be willing to give us, in accord
ance with Mr.. Webster's request, an artos
| unon the suhiect