126 ANKtIAL REPORT 



result of it, not one of that planting is like the mother tree, while 

 all oi the first planting are exact reproductions. 



This proves that blossoms self-pollenized, or fertilized from 

 pollen of same variety, and tree will produce their like, and that 

 varieties come from cross-breeding. 



But if other varieties are wanted to improve them or make them 

 longer keepers, or change them in color or size, there must be an 

 understanding about the blossoms, because most of them have 

 stamens and pistils on the same flower and as has been already 

 stated will reproduce themselves if alone. Therefore it is necessary 

 to understand which are the male and also the female organs, and 

 find which predominates, and what influence the male or female 

 has on the fruit, seed or stock, or constitution and hardiness of 

 tree. If we do understand it, we can almost to a certainty raise or 

 make any desired improvement, either in fruit, or tree, or 

 both. 



Now to raise a seed or seeds that will make a hardy tree, and at 

 the same time improve the variety and be a good bearer, we must 

 select for the female the hardiest and the best form of the tree, and 

 form of fruit, and for the male, the earliness or lateness, quality of 

 flavor and productiveness. For culture in fruit where stamens 

 and pistils are in one blossom, and we have an early variety that 

 is perfectly hardy and we wish to improve it and make it- a late 

 keeper, we must select for the female the tree that is the strongest 

 and hardiest of the two varieties we like to improve, and when it 

 is just commencing to blossom, cut ofl" or remove the stamens be- 

 low the pollen sacks or antlers just before the flower leaves or 

 petals are opening in the morning, upon a spur or an upright 

 limb or branch that is at an angle so the spur with a bunch of 

 flower buds can be covered with something that will protect it 

 against other pollen falling upon it, or brought by bees or insects 

 of any kind. A small glass bottle or jar, such as a quinine bottle 

 or something of that kind, will do. Now get a spur or bunch of 

 blossoms that you want to use for the male — if already opened, all 

 the better; but if the trees are quite a distance apart, best use two 

 bottles; and put the second one on the spur before" you remove it 

 in order to save all the pollen, then go to the first tree you had 

 protected, and change the bottles at once; put this second one 

 (that is the one from the tree used for the male or fertilizing 

 side of the operation) over the spur where the pollen had been 

 removed, cover the mouth with something to keep it closed, and 

 as soon as the sun dries up the dew, and warms the air, the pollen 



