330 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



But suppose we prefer to be more concise., and wish to fertilize the yellow 

 flint entirely by pollen of the white flint. We will then plant the two sorts in 

 alternate rows, and as the tassels of the yellow flint appear, pull them out. On 

 these stalks we shall know the parentage of the corn. 



Some strawberries, like the Green Prolific, bear few, if any, stamens, which 

 produce pollen. Plant such among plants of the Wilson and save the seeds of 

 the Green Prolific. We shall know the parentage of the seedlings. The Wilson 

 is the father, the Green Prolific the mother. We can cross two kinds of cu- 

 cumbers, or two kinds of melons, on a plan very similar to the one adopted 

 for crossing corn. In one sort, before flowering, all the sterile flowers must be 

 cut off. The sterile flowers are those which have no bunch or swelling below 

 the yellow part. This bunch is the rudimentary melon or cucumber. In the 

 case of the vines, bees and striped beetles and other insects carry the pollen 

 from one flower to another, except when the plants are grown in greenhouses. 

 In the latter case the flowers must be fertilized by hand, unless insects are let 

 into the house for the purpose. To induce flowers to set fruit and seeds, pollen 

 seems to be necessary, at least in nearly all cases. 



In the examples given, the stamens and pistils were in different flowers on 

 different plants or on different parts of the same plant. In the majority of 

 cases, as in the flowers of apples, pears, cherries, plums, peaches, grapes, rasp- 

 berries, most strawberries, gooseberries, currants, peas, beans, clover, buck- 

 wheat, wheat, rye, oats, barley, onions, cabbages, carrots, potatoes, lettuce, 

 and many others, the stamens and pistils are situated near each other in the 

 same flower. 



In many of these cases the pollen is ripe and is discharged on a certain part 

 of the pistil of the same flower, and causes it to set fruit and seeds, but in 

 many other cases the stamens and pistils of a flower are not ready for contact 

 at the same time. These must be cross-fertilized in some way. In many other 

 cases, as in the orchids and milk weed, the flowers contain stamens and pistils, 

 but they are so placed, even if they are ripe at the same time, that pollen can- 

 not reach the proper place without some artificial help, — as a small bird, 

 insect, or the wind. Many flowers are cross-fertilized, even when the sta- 

 mens and pistils are both present in the same flower. 



Suppose we wish to cross one kind of cherry with another and be certain 

 that just the desired cross is made. While the flowers are yet unopened, in the 

 swollen bud, we will spread the white petals and cut out all the numerous 

 slender stamens, with their anthers at the top. In the very center of the 

 flower is the rudimentary cherry, with a slender, light green stem running up 

 among the stamens. This must not be cut off. The stamens must be cut out 

 before shedding any pollen. We must not wait for the bud to open for another 

 reason : the tip of the pistil might get dusted with pollen from another flower, 

 not the sort desired. We may deprive two or three buds of the stamens, pull 

 off the rest near them, and cover with a paper or fine muslin sack, closely 

 drawn up at the mouth. In the early part of the next day, or possibly the 

 next but one, remove the sack, and apply a plump anther (filled with pollen) 

 slightly crushed, to the tip of the pistil. We select the anther, of course, 

 from the other sort of cherry desired for the cross. The sack may be carefully 

 replaced for a day or two, or better still, left on till the fruit is ripe, as this 

 keeps away the birds and insects. This pollen may be applied to the tip of the 

 pistil when the bud is just opened and the stamens removed. It will not 

 produce any effect on that day, but it will remain and keep alive for a day or 

 two or more, till the pistil is ready to receive it. If buds were so prepared, 



