BREEDING 



205 



Pollination is done when the pistils are receptive. This 

 is when the stigmas are covered with a glistening, sticky 

 fluid, which can be seen in the sunshine without the aid 

 of a hand lens. The stigmas often remain receptive 

 several days, but pollen should be applied as soon as pos- 

 sible after they are ready. When the stigmas begin to 



Fig. 25. — Pollinating with a camel's-hair brush. 



turn brown they have passed the receptive period. A 

 sunny day is favorable for hand-pollination. The pollen 

 is commonly transferred to the pistils with a small camel's- 

 hair brush but some merely touch the pollen, then the 

 pistils, with the end of a finger. It is important to place 

 pollen upon each of the numerous pistils ; those that are 

 missed will not produce seeds. Pollen should be applied 

 very freely. If paper sacks are used to protect the pistils 



