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The aim of this book is to give an introduction to the essential principles of genetics and cytology ; and an account of recent result in relation to horticulture. The cytologist who are studying the life-history of the cell and the intricate processes of germ-cell formation, and the geneticist who is concerned with the consequences of these processes, have elucidated a numbers of problems which directly concern the horticulturist. The engaged people in the breeding and raising of productive forms of commercial value, the chromosomes, the principal vehicles of heredity, are of great importance. The science of genetics has a wide horticultural application ; it is of great value to the plant-breeder, seedsman and gardener in providing a detailed knowledge of variation and heredity, and guidance in the maintenance of purity in their stocks. Genetics may also be of value to the nurseryman whose business lies in the vegetative reproduction of plants. Many of them are of a peculiar chimerical constitution, and their behaviour both in sexual and asexual reproduction is of practical importance. Again, since effective pollination is a first essential for the formation of fruit, to obtain the best result the fruit grower must interplant varieties which are mutually compatible. The knowledge of the genetics of polyploids has been largely developed from investigation with horticultural plants, hence the genetics of garden plants is of direct interest to the student of genetics as well as of use to the plant-breeder and horticulturist. The literature reporting the results of genetic and cytological investigation is very considerable and often difficult to access, and friends and correspondents have often expressed to us the need for a book which will bring together recent results and provide an account of modern genetics in relation to orchard and garden plants. The book will, we hope, serve as an introduction to the science of genetics, and particularly in its application to horticulture.