lo Jan., 1911-] Tlic Polluiatioi of Pear Blossoms. 3 



fruits that blossom exactly at the same period of time. Then there is 

 the question of the power of the pollen. It is certain that the power 

 of the pollen is frequently limited, and in two directions ; (a) the 

 pollen may be sterile in operation on its own variety ; or {h) it may 

 be sterile on different species. Some fruits are known to be self- 

 sterile, sometimes permanently, and sometimes only according to climate 

 or locality, or under certain conditions. Victorian growers are familiar 

 with this' peculiarity in such pears as Winter Nelis, Keiffer's Hybrid, 

 and Gansel's Bergamot. Yet it is well known that, in .some localities and 

 countries, even the.se fruits are self -fertile. 



The following varieties of pears are considered to be self -sterile iri 

 America, according to Bailey : — Beurre Anjou, Beurre Clairgeau, Beurre 

 Superfin, Frederick Clapp, Gansel's Bergamot, Howell, Louise Bonne of 

 Jersey. Souvenir du Congres, Wilder, Winter Nelis, Williams' Bon 

 Chretien. 



The following varieties, according to Bailey, are considered self- 

 ferttle in America : — Beurre Bosc, Beurre Deil, Buffam, Flemish Beauty, 

 I,e Conte, Keiffer's Hybrid, Brockworth Park, Seckle, Tyson 



It is eminently brought forward by these two lists that environment 

 and climate mu.st modify, or even completely change the action of the 

 pollen ; as in Victoria, no trouble generally is anticipated in the setting 

 of the fruits on such varieties as Beurre Clairgeau, Howell, Souvenir 

 du Congres, and Louise Bonne of Jersey. But what is most amazing 

 is the fact that Keiffer's Hybrid is in America considered self-fertile. 

 It is abundantly known that, in Victoria, it is generally impossible to 

 induce this tree to produce even a fair crop without the aid of cross- 

 pollination ; while very frequently it happens, that w^ithout artificial aid, 

 the trees of this variety never bear fruit at all. 



There are also various contrilniting causes, which, supposing every 

 other condition be satisfactory, prevent successful cross-pollination. Thus, 

 while it is know^n that the wind is a regular conveyor of pollen, although 

 only to a slight degree, yet if the direction of the wdnd be away from 

 the trees, a number of flowers will receive no "cross" pollen at all. 

 Rainy weather at the time of blos.soming is also known to interfere verv 

 largely with cross-pollination. Then, as Bailey suggests, it is probable 

 that pollen is more profuse and more active in some seasons, than in 

 others. 



Weather Notes. 



During observations conducted at the Burnley orchards this .sea.son, the 

 weather was exceptionally and continuously wet. 



The first pear to blossom was a Chinese ''quince" pear which was 

 in full bloom on 12th September. The last pears in full bloom were 

 two varieties called " Nashir," a Japanese variety, and " Golden Drop," 

 which were in full bloom on i6th October; and which con:;ueted the 

 blooming period on 29th October. From 27th to 29th September, over 

 300 varieties, out of a total number of 342 varieties of pears, were in 

 full bloom. This was probably the result of the excessive heat ex- 

 perienced on 23rd September; as .1 number of pears, which were bloorn- 

 ing simultaneously during this jxriod in 19 10, wen' not concurrent in 

 blnom in 1905 and 1908. 



