The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-03-15
SUGGESTIONS FOR FARMERS.
Interesting Discussion OF Plant Var
iation and Improvement.
now SOME RESULTS ARE OBTAINED.
Plants Arc Improved by Crossing HybrI-
dizing, InbrordinE. Selection and
Cuitiyation-Procosse
SOME RESULTS ARE OBTAINED.

1t Is a common notion to consider any
type OF plant to he essentially II fixed
entity, and to regard any marked depart
ure from tho type as a phenomenon rather
more to be wondered at than 10 be ex-
planned. II Is evident. however, that one
can not understand the production OF new
varieties until he has grasped come of the
funda mental principles OF the onward pro-
grcsson of the vegetable kingdom. Any
ATTEMPT therefore, to explain the origin
OF garden varieties ana the methods Of
producing them must be at the same time
n contribution TO the literature of the
philosophy of organic evolution.
Observation teaches MS that plants re-
producing under natural conditions mani
fest tendency to vary aud that they
vary when domcsticatcd the most casual
observer VIII admit. The degree OF Il Is
variation ana the frequency OF itG occur
rtpce are dependant on the consistency OF
the conditions under which growth and re-
production take place. ON purely thoo-
rctlcal grounds the claim might be mads
that plant growing and reproducing from
year to year under nnvarying surround
ings. would after n time become absolutely
fixed so long as 1t was kept under these
same conditions. But since Il IL lmpossl-
BILE to secure ouch ideal conditions, all
plants must vary. which Is no doubt true.
This presumption II based on the fact that
the greater the change I'm those conditions
affecting growth. nutrition and rcproduc-
ton, the tendency to vary is correspond
lngly increased. This statement appears
obviously true when We bear in mind the
greater number OF seed and bud varieties
('sports'o found In specie that have re-
ceivod nigh cultivation for any length OF
time.
An plants do not vary In the pame drec-
ton or stated more exactly, homologous
parts of plants not closely related are rot
necessarily equally susceptible 10 valla-
ton. For wild plants no rule can be given.
but Il may be said OF cultivated plsnts
that those parts most useful TO man arc
more plastic. and. | might say, elastic, a
ted writer on this subject Observes
sreaking Of the cabbage family Although
We sec such great differences In the shape,
size. color, arrangement ana manner or
growth Of leaves and stems and oil tha
flower stems IN braccoli and cauilflower.
IL Is remarkable that the flowers them
selves, seed and seed pods, present eA-
trenely slight differences, or none at all.
| made "A collection OF twcnty-eight differ
Ont kinds and most Of them were undisiin-
l,llishable: when there was any difference
II was excessively slight, thus
those Of Breda kali slightly larger than
usual, but not larger than the seeds OF the
Wild cabbage from the coast OF Wales y
Contrast this with the changes wrought
with corn While the records are not com
pIete enough TO justify the statement that
the numerous varieties OF corn have Il
common parent, yet the sradstion Is no
gradual; the analogy so strong that 10 be
lieve IT. ~ Irresistible. II this be true. we
have striking Illustration OF iacrease IN
The size Of kerDels-from &c gramnics 20
1873. grammes. Since we Know varieties
have been introduced In recent times that
are plainly superior TO their parents, ana