TH6 JOUHNAIs) 



OP 



•T^Re department of Mgncufture 



OP 



VICTORIA. 



. NIC 



UAK.OE 



Vol. IX. Part 1. 



10th January, 1911. 



THE POLLIXATrOX OF PEAK BLOSSOMS. 



E. E. Pcsci'it, Principal, ScJiool of Horticulture, Burnley. 



Tntroductiox. 

 Among iht; many protjlems in fruit culture, is the question of the 

 various causes contributing to the refusal of the fruit trees to set their 

 fruit, a condition generally known as " non-setting." It is frequently 

 noticed that some varieties of fruit trees under variable conditions and 

 climates, regularly set good, and often heavy, crops of fruit; while other 

 trees are noted for their failure to produce fruit in any noticeable quantity 

 at all. Again, when the same variety of fruit tree is planted in varying 

 latitudes, or even in different countries, it develops entirelv diverse 

 characteristics; l)eing a heavv "cropper"' in one location, and a '"non- 

 setter " in another. There may be varifms agencies tending to such 

 results; but one of these undoubtedly is the failure of one or several 

 organs of the flowers to perform their natural functions. 



The Botanv of the Flower. 

 that portion of the plant which is set apart tor 



the 



'I'he flower is 

 production of the seed. Tiie f-'c undative or rt'])roductive organs of the 

 flower are almost invariably in the (cntre of the flower structure, and they 

 are surroumlt-d bv (a) the calyx, or the outside envelope of the flower, 

 which is geiK'rally green in colour : and {/>) the corolla, or the coloured 

 portion of ihf flower, which acts as the inner envelope. The rc|>roduc- 

 tive or sexual organs are the stamens and pistil. 



The stamens are generallv called the male organs. They are often 

 very numerous, as in the eucalyptus flower ; while fre(]Uently tl'.ev are 

 regular in number. f)ften being six. eight, or ten. 'I'he stamens have a 

 slender stem, on which is carried a variously sized, bag like organ, which 

 is known as the anther. In thi- anther are immense numbers of very 

 .small white, brown, or vellow, dust-like grains, known as the pollcti. 

 'I'his pollen may ea>ilv be brusiied off. and observed by the naked eye. 



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