130 University of California Puhlications in Botany [Vol. 5 



copies the hybrid or parent designation from the label onto two 

 sizes of envelopes and returns to the "cleaner" with the smaller 

 of the two envelopes. During the copying of the label, the 

 cleaner has lifted the original paraffin bag from the larger 

 manila bag in which it has been dried and has drawn out the 

 withered stem and the seed capsule or capsules. Usualh^ most 

 of the seed is still retained within the capsule and the cleaner 

 "shells" it out into the saucer and discards any seed which 

 may have fallen out into the bag. The rougher chaff, etc., pres- 

 sent may be picked out and laid on the larger brown paper. 



The seed is then poured from the saucer onto the white paper 

 and from it into the smaller of the two envelopes which the 

 bookkeeper holds out. He seals the envelope, makes two folds 

 over the sealed end, places the envelope and the original label 

 on a small sheet of white paper and wraps them securely. This 

 paper is then put into the larger envelope and the latter sealed. 

 During this last operation the cleaner has laid aside the two 

 sheets of paper, cleaned the saucer and thoroughly' washed his 

 hands and wrists. The bookkeeper now lays out two clean sheets 

 of paper, the saucer is replaced and another bag of seed cleaned. 

 The bookkeeper, of course, takes notes upon the yield and con- 

 dition of the seed in each particular case. It will be noted 

 that only one person actually touches the seed, that he has only 

 this part to play in the whole operation, that his hands are 

 thoroughly cleaned each time, and that every effort is made, in 

 general and in particular, to insure cleanliness of surroundings 

 for the work. The danger of mixing labels and making mistakes 

 in copying is limited, since each package of seed contains three 

 identifying marks. The careful sealing and wrapping of the 

 seed envelope is necessary because of the small size of the seed 

 and the fear of loss and contamination, should there be any 

 possibility of its working out of the package. 



