CROSS-POLLINATING WHEAT FLOWERS 



In order to combine the desirable qualities of several strains in one, the breeder resorts to 

 cross-polhnation. To do this he removes part of the flowers from a head of wheat, as is 

 shown m this photograph, and then removes the anthers or pollen sacs from all the remain- 

 mg flowers. These, in which only female or pistillate organs remain, are known as the 

 seed-beanng parent of the cross. Some other variety is selected as the male or pollen- 

 bearing parent, and from flowers of such varietv the arithers are cut out and burst over the 

 flowers of the seed-bearer, their pollen falling on the stigmas of these flowers and causing 

 cross-polhnation by the method shown in the preceding photographs. After pollination 

 has been rnade, the flowers are protected by a wrapper of cotton batting, in order to avoid 

 the possibility of any subsequent pollination by wind or insects, which might seriously 

 interfere with the breeder's plans by changing the heredity of the resulting seed. (Fig. 19.) 



