30 



CIRCULAR NO, 121, BUREAU OF PLAINT INDUSTRY, 



stamens and anthers. A great many flowers may bo treated in this 

 manner in a short time, for only a few seconds are required to sna]) 

 the bands over the buds. 



An equally simple and efficient method employs a familiar paper 

 clip of the form in common office use. The sides of the clip arc 

 separated and the ends spread out as in figure 1, A. This is then 



placed over the end of the 

 bud so that the tip of the 

 bud projects through the 

 loop of the clip and is held by 

 a free end and one side of 

 the clip. (See fig. 1,5.) The 

 petals can expand to a cer- 

 tain extent, but the clip holds 

 them together sufficiently to 

 prevent their opening. 

 Enough space is provided for 

 the normal development of 

 the stamens, and pollination 

 is assured. This method has 

 an advantage over the rub- 

 ber-band scheme in its man- 

 ner of securing the petals. 

 The clip holds the petals 

 lengthwise and does not slip 

 off, while the rubber band 

 secures the petals laterally 

 and is sometimes forced off 

 by the expandmg bud. 



Further modifications of 

 these methods may be possi- 

 ble without changing results. 

 Any appliance that can be 

 ])laced over the bud to pre- 

 vent its opening and still 

 allow sufficient expansion of 

 the petals for the normal 

 development of the stamens and pistil will provide all the require- 

 ments that insure self-fertilization in the cotton flower. Any of these 

 methods may also be used to prevent the openmg of a flower from 

 which pollen is to be taken in hybridizing work. The advantages 

 of these simplified methods will be most readily appreciated by 

 breeders who wish to maintam a pure line of cotton, as they make 

 it possible to s(H-ure a larger quantity of pure seed in a limited time. 



Fig. 1.~(A ) Wire paper clip adjusted for placing on cotton 

 bud. (B) Unopened flower budwithwireclip in position 

 to prevent the separation of the petals. (Natural size.) 



ICir. ll'lj 



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