CROSSED AND SELF-FERTILISED PLANTS OF THE THIRD GENERATION.
The seeds just alluded to were allowed to germinate on bare sand, and
were planted in pairs on the opposite sides of four pots. When the
seedlings were in full flower, the tallest stem on each plant was
measured to the base of the calyx. The measurements are given in Table
4/46. In Pot 1 the crossed and self-fertilised plants flowered at the
same time; but in the other three pots the crossed flowered first. These
latter plants also continued flowering much later in the autumn than the
self-fertilised.
TABLE 4/46. Dianthus caryophyllus (third generation).
Tallest flower-stem on each plant measured in inches.
Column 1: Number (Name) of Pot.
Column 2: Crossed Plants.
Column 3: Self-fertilised Plants.
Pot 1 : 28 6/8 : 30.
Pot 1 : 27 3/8 : 26.
Pot 2 : 29 : 30 7/8.
Pot 2 : 29 4/8 : 27 4/8.
Pot 3 : 28 4/8 : 31 6/8.
Pot 3 : 23 4/8 : 24 5/8.
Pot 4 : 27 : 30.
Pot 4 : 33 4/8 : 25.
Total : 227.13 : 225.75.
The average height of the eight crossed plants is here 28.39 inches, and
of the eight self-fertilised 28.21; or as 100 to 99. So that there was
no difference in height worth speaking of; but in general vigour and
luxuriance there was an astonishing difference, as shown by their
weights. After the seed-capsules had been gathered, the eight crossed
and the eight self-fertilised plants were cut down and weighed; the
former weighed 43 ounces, and the latter only 21 ounces; or as 100 to
49.
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