74 PEOPAGATION. 



Next prepare a paper cone, which, without touch- 

 ing", shall envelop the bud, then tie the same securely 

 to the stalk beneath, which accomplished, this will 

 exclude all insects that migfht pollinate the bloom. 

 Keep a g^ood temperature in the house of about 80 

 deg^rees, and in three or four days apply the pollen, 

 replace the paper cone, and affix a label giving the date 

 of hybridisation, and also all particulars as to parents, 

 etc. 



Most people like to apply the pollen with a camel- 

 hair brush, but I think it is more effective to get the 

 pollen on to the tip of the fingers, and then apply it to 

 the pistil of the seed-bearing variety. If the hybridiser 

 has any doubt about the success of his experiment, the 

 bloom may be pollinated once more, but only from the 

 same flower, on the next day. The paper cone should 

 not be removed for eight or ten days. Try and choose 

 a sunny day for hybridising, and see to it, also, that the 

 house is dry, for no moisture must fall upon the 

 blooms; indeed, it is wisest to keep a hot, dry atmo- 

 sphere of 80 to 90 degrees in the house for a good fort- 

 night after fertilisation. Do not, therefore, water the 

 floor or over-water the plants, only giving them enough 

 to keep them alive. In about three weeks t'he seed- 

 pods will be found to be growing, when a little more 

 water may be added to the usual allowance, but great 

 care must be taken to keep the pods dry. 



As soon as the seed-pods are about the size of a 

 filbert, the temperature must be reduced and air given, 

 increasing this gradually as the season advances. 



By June and July the house should receive plenty 

 of air, day and night, and if all goes well by August 

 the pods should be colouring nicely. 



The seed-pods should be allowed to remain upon 

 the trees as long as possible, and only be removed just 

 before they are likely to drop. 



Gather and label them carefully, placing their 

 stalks into damp sand until they are required for 

 sowing at the end of November or beginning of Decem- 

 ber, and at no time allow the seed-pods ever to become 

 dry. 



