Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-02-09
The Hybridization Of Apples.

Mr.. C. G. Pringle, the horticultural mem
Der of our Board of Agriculture, responds TO
enquiries on this subject, as follows:
My dear Doctor With pleasure comply
with your request that should furnish you
for publication practical directions for oper-
ating the hybridization Of apples for can
very heartily encourage experiments in this
direction.
From the very excellent fruits which
chance has already given US, from union of
the Siberian species with the improved va
rieties Of the species so long cultivated, |
have not the slightest doubt but we may, by
judicious hybridizaton, and by careful Sc.
lection, possess ourselves OF class OF apples
which will combine the crispness of flesh
and the richness Of the Siberian with the
size and varied Aavors of our Greetings,
Spys, Swaars, etc. This minglng of the
characters Of the two species produces re-
suits of surprising excellence. think |
have before remarked to you that Bailey S
Crimson" which is the issue OF such a
union, is the richest and most highly favored
apple ever tasted.
So far | have only had in mind the quail
ity OF these coming fruits, for should want
to cultivate them, il for this reason alone, in
the favored climate OF my valley, where
all the best apples succeed but when add
that these new hybrids may be bred with a
hardness that will endure the severity of the
winter on nearly every farm in Vermont,
the Importance OF the wol k Of breeding them
is made far more manifest.
have long been gratihed by the atten-
ton which you are bestowing upon improved
and hybrid Siberians, and wish earnestly
to urge you, now that YOU possess such ex.
cellent facilities for carrying on the work, to
apply yourself to hybridizing thoroughly and
patiently have myself, as you know,
shown my faith in the great good to come to
our horticulture from such efforts, by be
slowing considerable labor In this direction T;
but | have SO many different plants under
my hands, that lack time to deal with these
as should be glad TO see you do
Your young trees just coming into bear
ing, and standing in well cultivated soil, are
very fit subjects for hybridizing. Just be-
fore the central flowers of the clusters open
their white or rosy petals, you will select your
flowers to be operated upon, They should be
strong ones-the central ones by preference !;
and they should be favorably situated on the
branch for receiving the most abundant
nourishment. From six to ten flowers, on
large branch or small tree, are enough for
your work and all the other flower buds
should be carefully picked away, SO that the
entire strength of the branch or tree may
be concentrated upon the development Of
the few seeds which you impregnate arti-
hcially. Now open the selected flowers (the
petals are not essential organs, and may be
be completely torn away and carefully
pick away every stamen. These are found
In little ring, just within the base Of the
petals, and surrounding the centre Of the
flower, which consists Of the stamsns with
their anthus, at this time curled downwards
into the central cavity Of the flower The
instrument with which you will best per-