ARTICLE VI.

[From the American Agriculturist.]

Hybridizing.

The annexed article on hybridizing we take from McIntosh's Book of the Garden, now publishing in parts in Edinburgh. It is said to be from the pen of Mr. Anderson, one of the most scientific and skillful operators in Great Britain.

To those who would attempt the hybridizing or cross-breeding of plants, I will now offer some suggestions for their guidance. It is an essential element to success that the operator be possessed of indomitable patience, watchfulness, and perseverance. Having determined on the subjects on which he is to operate, if the plants are in the open ground, he will have them put into pots, and removed under glass, so as to escape the accidents of variable temperature, wind, rain, and dust, and, above all, of insects. A greenhouse fully exposed to the sun is best adapted for the purpose, at least as regards hardy and proper greenhouse plants. Having got them housed, secure a corner where they are least likely to be visited by bees or other insects. The plants which are to yield the pollen, and the plants which are to bear the seed, should be both kept in the same temperature; but where this cannot be managed, pollen from an outside plant, in genial summer weather, may be used, provided it can be got; for there is a class of insects which live exclusively on pollen, and devour it so fast after the pollen-vessels open, that, unless the plant is under a handglass, [which I would recommend,] it is scarcely possible to get any pollen for the required purpose. To sesure against chances of this nature, a sprig with opening bloom may be taken and kept in a phial, with water inside, where it will get sufficient sun to ripen the pollen. But here, too, insects must be watched, and destroyed if they intrude. An insect like, but smaller, than the common hive bee, which flits about by fits and starts, on expanded wings, after the manner of the dragon-fly, is the greatest pest, and seems to feed exclusively on pollen. The hive bee, the humble bee and wasp give the next greatest annoyance. All these may be

excluded by netting fixed over apertures from open sashes or the like. Too much care cannot be bestowed on excluding these intruders, whose single touch, in many cases, might neutralize the intended result; for the slightest application of pollen native to the parent plant is said by physiologists to supersede all foreign agency, unless, perhaps, in the crossing of mere varieties; and the truth of this observation consists with my own experience. Without due precaution now, the labor, anxiety, and watchfulness of years may issue in vexation and disappointment. As a further precaution still, and to prevent self-fertilization, divest the blooms to be operated on not only of their anthers, but also of their corollas. Remove also all contiguous blooms upon the plant, lest the syringe incautiously directed, or some sudden draft of air, convey the native pollen, and anticipate the intended oper

ation.

The corolla appears to be the means by which insects are at

organ.

tracted; and though, when it is removed, the honey on which they feed is still present, they seem puzzled or indifferent about collecting it; or if, haply, they should alight on the dismantled flower, (which I never have detected,) the stigma is in most cases safe from their contact. It will be some days probably a week or more, if the weather be not sunny-ere the stigma is in a fit condition for fertilization. This is indicated by many families, such as Ericaceae, Rosacea, Serophularineæ, Aurantiaceæ, &c., by a viscous exudation in the sutures (where these exist) of the stigma, but generally covering the entire surface of that In this condition the stigma may remain many days, during which fertilization may be performed; and this period will be longer or shorter as the weather is sunny or damp or overcast. In certain families, such as the Malvaceæ, Geraniaceae, &c., where the stigma divides itself into feathery parts, and where the viscous process is either absent or inappreciable by the eye, the separation of these parts, the bursting of the pollen, the maturity of the stigma, and all which a little experience will detect, indicate the proper time for the operation, sunny or cloudy weather always affecting the duration of the period during which it may be successfully performed. As to the proper time and season best adapted for such experiments, a treatise might be written; but here a few remarks must suffice. As for the season of the year, from early spring to midsummer I would account the best period; but, as I have just observed, I regard all cold, damp, cloudy, and ungenial weather as unfavorable. On the other hand, when the weather is genial, not so much from sun-heat as at times occurs from the atmosphere being moderately charged with electricity; when there is an elasticity, so to speak, in the balmy air, and all nature seems joyous and instinct with life; this, of all others, is the season which the hybridist should improve, and above all, if he attempts muling. The hybridist should be provided with a pocket lens, a pair of wire pincers, and various-colored silk threads. With the lens he will observe the maturity of the pollen, and the condition of the stigma, whether the former has attained its powdery, and the latter (if such is its nature,) its viscous condition. If he find both the pollen and the stigma in a fit state, he will, with the pincers, apply an anther with ripened pollen, and by the gentlest touch distribute it very thinly over the summit of the stigma. The operation performed, he will mark it by tying round the flower stalk a bit of that particular colored silk thread which he wishes to indicate the particular plant which bore the pollen, and at the same time tie a bit of the same silk round the stem of the latter, which will serve till recorded in a note-book, which should be kept by every one trying experiments on a large scale.

It is quite unnecessary to offer any directions as to the results to be effected. If it is desired to reproduce the larger, finer-formed, or higher-colored bloom of a plant having a tall, straggling, or too robust a growth, or having too large or too coarse foliage in a plant without these drawbacks, I need not suggest to select in another species of the same family, a plant of an opposite character and properties Say of dwarf, compact growth, handsome foliage, and free-flowering habit; and if such can be obtained, work with it, making the latter the seedbearer. Or, if it be desirable to impart the fragrance of a less handsome kind to another more handsome, I would make the cross upon the

latter. I cannot speak with certainty from my own experiments, how far perfume may be so communicated; but I have some things far advanced to maturity to test it; and I entertain the hope that fragrance may not only be so imparted, but even heightened, varied, and improved. Or if it be desired to transfer all or any valuable property or quality from a tender exotic species to a native or hardy kind, work upon the latter; for so far as constitution goes, I agree with those who hold that the female overrules in this particular. I would offer this caution to those who wish to preserve the purity of certain flowers for exhibition, especially those having white grounds, not to cross such with high-colored sorts. I once spoffed a white bloomed Calceolaria for exhibition, by crossing it with a crimson sort; all the blooms on those branches where the operation had been performed being stained red, and not the few flowers merely on which the cross was effected. In this note, already too long, I cannot further illustrate my remarks by recorded experiments in the various tribes upon which I have tried my hand; but I cannot leave the subject without inculcating, in the strongest manner, the observance of the rules I have laid down to prevent vexatious disappointments. If any doubts arise about the cross being genuine or effectually secured, let not the seeds be sown. Three, four, five, and even six years, must oftentimes elapse with trees and shrubby things ere the result can be judged of; and if eventually it prove a failure, or even doubtful, it is worse than labor lost, inasmuch as it may mislead. If there is no great departure from the female parent, the issue is to be mistrusted. It is singular, if well accomplished, how much of both parents is blended in the progeny. Gentlemen eminent as physiologists have read nature's laws in these matters a little differently from what my own humble experience has taught me, and assigned to the progeny the constitution and general aspect of the one parent, while they gave the inflorescence and fruit to the other. I have crossed and inverted the cross, and can venture to give no evidence on the point, except, perhaps, as to constitution, to which the seed-bearer, I think, contributes most. A well-managed hybrid should and will blend both parents into a distinct intermediate, insomuch so as to produce often what might pass for a new species. If the leaning be to one more than another, it is probably to the female, though this will not always be the case. Again, it is asserted that a proper hybrid-i. e., one species which is separate and distinct from it-will produce no fertile seeds. This does not accord with my observations. Dr. LINDLEY has remarked very justly, (Theory of Horticulture, p. 69,) "But facts prove that undoubted hybrids may be fertile." My hybrid, Veronica Balfouriana, (an intermediate between V. saxatillis and V. fruticulosa,) seeds, I would say, more abundantly than either parent; and the progeny from its self-sown seeds I find to be of various shades of blue, violet, and red, rising in my garden, some having actually larger, finer, and higher-colored blooms than the parent bearing the seed; and I am familiar with the same result in other things. Yet I am far from asserting fertility in the produce between two members of allied but distinct genera-such, for example, as in the Brianthus, which I have found to be unproductive, whether employed as male or female parent. As above conjectured, its parents were far too remote in nature's own arrangement. The hybridist has

a field before him ever suggestive of new modes of acting. He may try, as I have done, what may be effected under various-tinted glass. My persuasion is, that I effec.ed from a pale yellow, a pure, whitegrounded Calceolaria, by placing the plants under blue-shaded glass, by which the sun's rays were much subdued. He may also apply chemical solutions to plants with ripening seeds. Nature, in producing, as it sometimes does, plants with blooms of colors opposite to those of the parent, must be governed by some law. Why may not this law be found out? For example, under what influence was the first white Fuchsia, the F. Venus Victrix, produced, the purest yet of all the race, and the source from which all the whites have been derived ?

ARTICLE VII.

Banks and Banking in Massachusetts.

We publish the following article which appeared in the Boston Atlas, of 24th ult., for the purpose of showing our western readers the nature of the basis upon which the Massachusetts Bank notes now in circulation here, have been issued. It will be seen that in October, 1853,, the Banks of Massachusetts, out of Boston, 108 in number, had a circulation of more than twenty-five dollars in paper for one of specie in their vaults; and yet more applications are before the Legislature for increasing of banking capital. We have no desire to depreciate the paper of the Massachusetts banks, but we are constrained to express the opinion that a currency resting upon a basis so artificial and slender, is not entitled to the confidence of people residing beyond the limits of the State in which it is issued.-Sen. Ed.

"It will be seen by the proceedings of the Legislature, that numerous petitions have been presented for an increase in bank capital. We know that, until the last session of the Legislature, there had been but little increase of bank capital for several years, although there had been a great increase of business. During the last session there was an increase of more than ten millions. Ten millions is a large sum for a single year. There are already numerous applications for bank capital this session, and no doubt there will be others. The granting of one charter will be the signal for other applications. We presume that some charters will be granted, and the capital of some of the existing banks will be increased. But we trust that the Legislature will move with caution.

We agree fully with the opinion expressed by the Executive, that the present policy of Massachusetts is a 'wise policy,' and that it has proved 'safe;' but this system, like every other, may be carried too far. It is wise and safe while it is kept within reasonable bounds; but if it is pressed beyond that, it will prove both unwise and unsafe. The ability of the banks to redeem their bills, rests

not upon the specie in their vaults, but upon the securities they hold that is, upon the notes of individuals and corporations taken for money loaned. So long as discounts are made with care and prudence, the banks will be able to redeem their bills. But when a large amount of bills of any bank are in circulation, and the notes held by the bank shall, from any cause, prove worthless, it is clear that they must have something else on which to fall back, or they will be unable to redeem their bills. Our banking law contemplates that the banks will have specie in their vaults to meet such an emergency. But how stands the case at the present time. By the bank returns, made in October last, it appears that the 143 banks in the State, with a capital of $48,050,000, and a circulation of 30,400,000, had only $3,731,000 of specie in their vaults. And this was the state of things on a given day, when they were prepared to make the most favorable show. Ordinarily, we presume, that the amount of specie would be still less, and the circulation We presume, that, at this very moment, the specie in the vaults of the banks would not amount to one twelfth of the bills in circulation.

more.

In fact, the returns show that the 108 banks out of Boston had, in October, à circulation of $20,792,083, while their specie amounted to only $810,609, which is less than four per cent. We could select individual cases which would be still more unfavorable. Now it is manifest that if there be an increase of bank capital, this amount of specie will be proportionately less. A new bank must obtain a new set of customers, and must, in certain cases, take second or third rate paper, and hence increase their liability to losses. The Legislature, therefore, should be cautious in ranting new charters, and in increasing the capital of the banks already in existence. We trust that the pleasing hope of obtaining a larger revenue from the bank tax will not induce the assembled wisdom of the State to grant whatever is asked for. We hope that measures will be adopted to secure a larger amount o specie in the banks. It would, beyond all question, be a salutary provision of law, to require of every bank an amount of specie bearing a certain proportion to their circulation, or their capital. Such a provision would check, in some degree, the applications for new banks, and give, at the same time, greater security to the public.

In legislating upon this difficult subject, we should look at every interest in the community, and interpose such checks as will secure to the great mass of the people, the bill-holders, the greatest safety consistent with the public interest. In a system like ours, everything depends upon the character of the individuals to whose hands the management of our banks is entrusted. But the State should be extremely cautious not to lead even honest men into temptation, lest they ruin themselves, injure the public, and bring dishonor upon the State. A crisis like that of 1837 would, we fear, find our banks unprepared for the emergency.'

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