An opinion seems to be gaining converts among some careful observers of facts, which seems at first view to have a very narrow basis to rest upon, and indeed, quite at variance with all of our preconceived notions, in regard to the phenomena of reproduction in the vegetable kingdom. I allude to the opinion, which I have lately heard advanced more as a statement of observed fact than expression of opinion, that cross-fertilization not only modifies the characteristics of the progeny resulting therefrom, but that the size, appearance and other qualities of the fruit produced during the season of impregnation must and will, in a greater or less degree, exhibit some of the qualities of the staminate parent, as well as those of the one bearing the fruit. For example, the fruit of a strawberry, of a pistillate variety, growing near a given staminate one - by the aid of which the greater portion of the crop is produced and perfected - will show a marked difference in size, appearance and quality, from that of the same variety of plant growing near and impregnated by another stami-nate variety.

This sort of collateral inheritance of qualities, has always seemed to some of us wise ones as not only an impossibility, but the idea so much of an absurdity, as scarcely to merit denial. But, I think a little reflection upon one or two of the primary and well-known laws governing the matter of reproduction by seed, will convince any unprejudiced mind, not only of the possibility of such collateral effects of impregnation, but of their extreme probability, not to say certainty.

These laws are, first, that the fertilization of the seed is a necessary condition to the formation of the fruit, as when there is no impregnation of the seed either from the pollen of the fruit-bearing plant itself, or from a neighboring one, no fruit can be developed. Secondly, that the seed, after impregnation, excites and stimulates by the power of the reproductive principle of life imparted to it by that impregnation, the development and growth of a matrix of fruit to suit its own requirements; to feed upon and perfect its own growth and maturity until it is in condition to return to the soil as the embryo of a new plant. Now, in view of these indisputable facts, is the conclusion not irresistible that, taking for example a bed of a strongly pistillate variety of strawberry - that portion of the bed lying near to and consequently largely influenced by impregnation from a staminate variety bearing large, fine, highly colored or high flavored berries, will bear fruit, partaking to a marked degree more of those qualities than another portion of the same field, coming under a like influence from staminate plants bearing a smaller and meaner class of fruit? This would seem a matter of easy determination, and one well worthy of careful experiment, not only by those engaged in propagating for new and improved varieties from seed, but by those as well who grow for market purposes.