262 ANNUAL REPORT. 



This proves that blossoms self-poUenized, oi 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, 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 off" or remove the stamens 

 below the pollen sacks or anthers 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 re- 

 move 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 stamens had been removed, 

 cover the mouth with something to keep it closed, and as soon a& 

 the sun dries up the dew, and warms the air, the pollen will be 

 ready, and then, by jarring or shaking the limb, the pollen will be 

 seen fl3'ing all over inside, and the fertilizing is done. 



