THE CHINESE SAND PEAR 
This hard-fruited little species is common in China and Japan, where 
it has been considerably improved in size but not very much in 
flavor. 
It was introduced to the United States as an orna- 
mental tree, and accidental crosses with Bartlett Pears resulted 
in some valuable new varieties which are widely grown in the 
United States. _ 
partment of Agriculture. 
pollen in a 2% solution of sugar 
and keeping it at a moderate tempera- 
ture. If upon examination under a 
microscope after a few hours, the pollen 
erains are found to have germinated and 
sent out their pollen tubes, it is usually 
safe to use the remaining pollen for 
crossing. Each kind of pollen is care- 
fully labelled in order that no uncer- 
tainty may arise as to its source. 
438 
Photograph (natural size) from the U. S. De- 
(Fig. 2.) 
“In order to effect a cross the buds: 
to be pollinated should first be emas- 
culated, so that self-fertilization may 
not take place. The following method 
has been used by the writer for several 
years with pears and apples with excel- 
lent results. The bud is held firmly 
between the thumb and forefinger of 
the left hand. Emasculation is then 
accomplished expeditiously by inserting: 
