8 July, 1907.] 



' //('(// (///(/ \\ l/caf-Brecdiui 



443 



The ear selected is first examined in order to determine if it has not al- 

 ready been fertilized, or is too unripe. If ready the central florets of those 

 to be fertilized are pulled out or cut off, which leaves more room for 

 working at the outside florets. A little pressure on the ends of the pales, 

 or what the farmers call chaff, and the floret opens. The three stamens 

 may then be seen, and by the aid of the spring forceps the stamens are 

 grasped and the slightest pull breaks them off with the anthers attached. 

 If an anther bursts, of course this particular floret is spoiled and may be 

 cut oa- broken off. A second floret is then operated on and so on until as 

 many as are needed have been completed. The next operation is to pre- 

 pare the ear from which the pollen to fertilize the stigmas of other florets 

 is to be taken. This is simplv done by cutting with a pair of scissor? 



67 » 9 ]0 



SOME OF THE APPARATUS USED IN THE CROSS-FERTILIZING OF 



and 2. Emasculatinj,^ forceps. 3. Strong pair of forceps. 4. Pocket magnifying^ 

 glass. 5. Scissors. 6. Ear of Medeah. 7. Ear of Bobs. 8 and q. Bobs 

 prepared for cross-fertilizing; (8 shows where floret has been broken off owing 

 to self-fertilization dnring the process of cross-fertilizing). 10. Florets wrapped 

 around by cotton wool to prevent insects, &c., carrying the pollen from other 

 wheats, ii. Fertilized florets with cap of butter-paper and fixed to a support. 



the tips of the florets, when, in a short time, if the pollen is ripe, the 

 stamens appear. The anthers may be taken out similarly to the manner 

 in which tho.se of the florets to act as the mother parts were emasculated. 

 The pollen cases open at the top, hence if placed downwards in the pre- 

 pared floret, the slightest pressure against the sides of the pales causes 



