SPORTING IN PLANTS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12825, 8 June 1907, Page 7

SPORTING IN PLANTS.

Sporting in plants has boon freely disouased during late years, local botanists advancing more or hem interesting theories regarding the oa usees wfliicb. bring about these freaks and sports. Professor Corhett, who has givcm. some study-to the auibject, says: —"Sporting ■ may he encouraged by extreme oonddtiona. Elitbcr extreme feeding, or extreme poverty, may induce the {plants to. sport. . Several changes in climate 'or soil conditions may result in decided' ohangjee in, stature, habits of«growth and truitfulnass, which are as marked attributes of a 6port as are changes in the foliage or fruit." This » undoubtedly true in the abstract', says the "Journal of Horticulture," but it is when brought to bear on oonicrote cases that it fails to fully satisfy. If by extreme feeding is mea'ii<t tiho culture given to roses, for example, by florists and gardeners when forced under glass for winter flowering, the question arises why more sports aire not developed. When thousands of growers are fording the same variety, it is not always tho Odue who is feeding hie croo the heaviest that finds the variety produce a sport. The fact, too, that a few varieties alone have displayed sportive tendeiicies to the extent of producing now sorts, strengthens the convuetion that the ©anise lies in the Blood.