Page 191

THE SUM OF HIS WORK
was presented for the possibility of producing new
varieties through hybridizing old species, it should
be added that mention was made in a separate
section of numerous experiments with seedlings
of the ampelopsis, a new type of wax myrtle, and
"some charming, crossbred seedling tigridias, new
cannas, arums, amaryllis, brodiaeas, aquiligias,
asters, and a multitude of other things not yet
near enough to perfection to merit a special
description; yet some of the hybrids of which are
worthy of much study." A list of other species
that had been mutually hybridized begins with
the peach and almond, and names more than
twenty crosses between the various types of
orchard fruits-apricot, plum, quince, and apple,
as well as peach-in various combinations.
Without detailing further examples, it may be
said that this body of evidence was overwhelming.
It could be supplemented indefinitely, of course,
by examples from other plants in my experiment
gardens. But without further elaboration, the
examples cited in my first two catalogs sufficiently
establish the fertility of hybrids of many species
of widely different families.
Thenceforth there could never be any doubt
in the minds of practical plant developers that
true species, within certain limits of affinity, may
be interbred and produce fertile offspring.
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