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VIGOROUS, GERMINATED POLLEN OF THE WINCHELL GRAPE 



Each of the large dots in the above photomicrograph is a pollen grain. Most of them have 

 germinated in a sugar-gelatin solution, and sent out long pollen tubes. Normally, this 

 pollen tube grows into the ovary, after the pollen has fallen on a fruit-bearing flower, and 

 down the tube the nucleus of the pollen-grain slips to unite with the nucleus of the ovule, 

 thus setting in motion the machinery that will lead to the production of a grape-seed. The 

 photograph, made at Willard, N. C, shows the condition of pollen as it was received by mail 

 from Vineland, N. J. One of the chief factors in successful hybridization of the Muscadine 

 grape has been the use of vigorous pollen. (Fig. 17.) 



more testing before their full value 

 can be determined. They are very 

 promising. 



8. Decreased Size of Seed. 



Little reduction has been secured in 

 the size of seed, but this character is 

 considered of less importance than 

 others, especially since the sizes of seed 

 and berry are generally coiTelated. 



9. Thinner Skin of Berries 



Some reduction of the thickness of 

 berry skin has been gained by inter- 

 crossing, especially with the variety 

 Eden. A group of seedlings descended 



from Eden and James parentage is 

 deserving of special mention here be- 

 cause of the uniform combination of 

 good flavor and quality \yith thin 

 skin, large berry and cluster, and good 

 adherence. In this lot of seedlings some 

 very promising light- and dark-fruited 

 commercial types are to be found. 



10. Uniform Ripening 



Uniformity of fruit ripening seems 

 to be dependent as much, on the 

 weather at blooming time as on in- 

 herent varietal character. However, 

 by working away from the everbearing 

 trait of V". munsoniana and breeding 



421 



