The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1906-11-24
New Hybrid
5Iib !. / GUS /: / 5
BEAy TlFuL PLANT TO De SHOWN
AT'TtiE jamestown TX
POSITION
lBy z. a. Pope.l

the horticultural exhibit next year Is
a new and beautiful flower that has
recently been developed
The pubhc's first Introduction to
the possibilities Of plant breeding was
when tie magazines and newspapers
in this country began 10 publish their
numerous articles about IRE work Of
Luther Burbank. To-day he is with.
out doubt the greatest Demonstration
Of this scientific work; however, for
many years this principle has been
well understood, ana In more Or less
degree worked out on n small scale.
Prof. Burbank has revived this inter.
est and given II greater impetus, SO
that nov may botanists in ell coun.
tries arc taking up this Find Of work.
From tie standpoint Of The former, It
is q purely scientific research. To
study the laws of plant heredity and
possibly to evolve really new Gre
-attsnts the greatest happiness, a scfent
list may know.
The chief impetus which impels the
horticultural to Try and create some
new flower is commercial enc; new
clthelees, it can only he realized
through scientific prCess. then the
success Of his Efforts will be crowned
with the same l1nd OF JOY that the
able patient hobaaist realizes. In adj
dition, however, there il always be-
fore him the posslbtlityof very large
reward, as a successful rovclty is as
valuable to the horticriltUrist as a
heavy assay OF quartz VEN is to the
gold miner.
The old Philadelphia frrn Of Mech
an Bros. is orc Of those Horticultural
establishments which has received
recognized the great Opportunity that
lay in the possibilities CT creating a
new plant. After four long years Of
patient effort they have been retarded
with success; they have produced
what is Without donbt the most beau
tiful flower creation OF this last de-
cade. It is rev "Mallow," result
Of crossing non.hardy southern vari-
ETY. with the common northern variety.
Briefly the process was as follows:
First parent plants were very care
fully chosen from many thousands,
those which we're the healthiest, the
largest and Of the most beautiful
shades we're taken. Then the pollen
of one variety was busted on to the
stigma Of the other variety; thus the
work Of fertilization was begun. Pa
per bags were then tied over each in
divdual flower so as to prevent any
pollen Of less desirable mallow be
ing blown in on the same stigma, or
brought to them by bees or other In
sects. The seeds ripened; were care
fully collected and all sown with
greatest precaution. The hest soil and
the best methods were determined be.
fore this planting was begun. Then
the anxious. hopeful waiting for the
germination and the towering.
The scientific theory which indicat.
ed that new FLOW, more perfect than
any other of its kind yet born, was
again demonstrated. The plant show
ed a healthier and stronger constitu'
ton than either OF its parents, larg'
er flower and one of more glorious
color.
Anthony Wateree, of the most ia.
nous horticultural firm in England,
says that this achievement is the
most notable of It's kind for many de-
cades, and prophesies for the new ere
alton widespread appreciation and
use.
Everyone who has travelled shore
ward through New Jersey during the
Summer must have noticed the many
acres of mallows growing wild in the
low, swamy ground. Their large flow
ers ranging in color from white to a
light pink, with crimson eye or cen.
ter, can hardly be overlooked even by
a casual observer. This plant has
been grown in gardens for quite a
number Of years. but cultivation did
not seem to improve it, In fact I'M
der good treatment it seemed to be
less desirable than in its wild form.
the growth was much coarser and the
flowers seemed to have tendency to
come to white instead Of pink.
The late Mr.. Thomas Meehan sug-
gested that it might be improved by
hybridizirg with closely related plants,
SO the oldfashloned hollyhoclt and the
althaea, both Of which belong to the
mallow family. were used for THIS
but, without success.
Among the extensive collection OF