150 BREEDING 



this is done by cutting out the anthers. The reader 

 will doubtless evolve the details of his own method 

 of procedure in carrying out cross -pollination. For my- 

 self, I have found that a simple way of getting at the 

 parts to be manipulated is to hold back the standard 

 and wings, and to make a transverse tear right across 

 one half the carina near its base, and then bend the 

 whole of the carina in front of the tear to one side, 

 so that the anthers and stigma project free from the 

 part of the carina, in front of the tear. The stamens 

 are then easily removed by nipping them ofi with 

 the forceps. The forceps should then be dipped 

 in the spirit to sterilise them, in case the anthers 

 may have been accidentally burst during these mani- 

 pulations. 



The flower is now ready to receive the pollen of 

 the flower which is to function as male parent. This 

 should have been selected before the female flower 

 was operated on in the manner just described, so that 

 it may be at hand as soon as the female flower is 

 ready. 



The age of the flower to function as male parent 

 should be older, but not much older than that which 

 acted as female. The reason for this is not that an 

 older flower would not contain enough pollen, but 

 that it might contain too much ; I mean pollen 

 which does not belong to it, brought to it by bees. 

 For though the bees who visit the pea flowers, once 

 they are fully open, do not effect cross -pollination, 

 because self-pollination has already taken place, they 

 may bring to the flower some pollen from another 



