In some cases the name of the originator may
be so widely known that it adds weight to the value of the new form, and
therefore may advantageously be coupled with it. The origin and history
of the greater part of our garden-flowers, fruits and vegetables are
obscure; we see them as they are, and do not know from whence they came.
The original habitat for a whole genus or for a species at large, may be
known, but questions as to the origin of the single forms, of which it
is built up, ordinarily remain unanswered.
For these reasons we are restricted in most cases to the comparison of
the forms before us. This comparison has led to the general use of the
term "variety" in opposition to "species." The larger groups of forms,
which are known to have been introduced as such are called species. All
forms which by their characters belong to such a species are designated
as varieties, irrespective of their systematic relation to the form,
considered as the ancestor of the group.
Hence, we distinguish between "hybrid varieties" and "pure varieties"
according to their origin from different parents or from a single line
of ancestors. Moreover, in both groups the forms may be propagated by
seeds, or in the vegetative way by buds, by grafting or [123] by
cutting, and this leads to the distinction of "seed-varieties" and
"vegetative varieties.
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