19-t 



THE FLOEIST AND POMOLOGIST. 



[ Septbmbbr, 



Fig. 1 represents a longitudinal section of the flower of the Grape Vine, 

 showing the pistil and stamens as they are situate just previous to its expansion 

 or opening. It will be observed that the whole is at this time shut in by a 

 sort of sheath or " cap," as it is called. Fig. 2 represents the same flower a 

 stage further advanced, where the flower shows the first signs of opening. When 

 seen in this condition in bright sunshine, it is only a question of an hour or two 

 for it to fully expand, for the '•'• cap " to bo thrown off, and for it to appear as in 

 fig. 3, so rapidly do the changes take place. 



1. 2. 3. 4. 



Flower of the Grape Vine. 



The act of fertilisation is effected at this period. The various segments of 

 the sheath or " cap " roll up one after the other, until at last it rests on the point 

 of the stamens and pistil. By a sudden jerk it is then thrown off, the pollen is 

 projected on to the pistil, and the fertilisation is effected. 



To hybridise, therefore, or to cross-fertilise one variety with another, it is 

 necessary to take measures in advance of this, so that self-fertilisation be not 

 effected. To accomplish this, select, some days previously to the opening of the 

 first flowers, the bunch which is to be operated on as the female or seed-bearing 

 parent. Cut away all the flowers, with the exception of ten or so, and have 

 these enclosed in a thin but close muslin bag, which must be sufficiently close to 

 keep out all foreign pollen. It is necessary to watch and examine these flowers 

 minutely until they appear as in fig. 2 ; then, being provided with a pair of 

 finely pointed scissors or pincers, pull off the cap by force, and immediately cut 

 away the stamens, as shown in fig. 4. This is a very neat-handed, but difficult 

 operation ; it requires the greatest care and patience, all the parts being so small, 

 and, as a rule, difficult to get at. It is, indeed, a very arduous task to do all this 

 without injury to the pistil or ovary. To add to the difficulty, the bunch to be 

 operated upon is mostly rather difficult to reach, and having to be always done 

 in the brightest and hottest of days, in the forenoon, what with the perspiration 

 almost blinding one, and the reaching and straining, it is one of the most trying 

 of garden operations. 



As soon as the stamens are all cut off from those flowers which may be fit, 

 get ready the pollen of the sort selected for the male parent, which should be 

 in flower at the same time. This is best applied by means of a small camel's- 



