16 PICTORIAL PRACTICAL CARNATION GROWING. 
is no reliance to be placed on the variety that always produces short, 
round, blunt headed buds, such usually being a confirmed “ burster.” 
A sort that produces a long bud, the pod or calyx being about three 
times as long asits diameter, is generally a non-burster, and such 
alone is worthy of being selected from amongst seedlings as a border 
Carnation. 
When pollinating to originate improved varieties, never select as 
parents flowers that have too many petals, and which burst the 
calyx. Avoid blooms with short, stumpy calyces crowded with small 
petals, which by force of expansion burst the calyx from top to 
bottom, and the petals fall out, completely spoiling the appearance 
of the flower. The flower selected as the seed bearer should have 
a long, firm calyx ; the bloom should be of large size and good form, 
with petals firm and solid in texture, broad and slightly cupped, not 
reflexed. Further, the seed bearer should be a plant of vigorous 
habit and compact growth, yet throwing up plenty of “ grass.” Many 
of the most beautiful varieties are sadly deficient in the latter 
respect. The seed bearer should be of erect habit, the flower stems 
being strong enough to carry the blooms without drooping their 
heads. Finally, the seed bearer should be free flowering, throwing 
up several flower stems, and covering them well with buds. 
In order to save seed in this country, the breeder plants, both 
pollen and seed parent, should be placed in a cool, airy greenhouse 
and in full sunshine. Do not disbud them, but allow them to bear 
a full crop of flowers, at least up to or near the time of pollination, 
for in some cases the large blooms on disbudded plants are devoid of 
pollen, while the secondary blooms may afford it relatively liberally. 
Lack of fertility in the Carnation and Picotee is most pronounced in 
CROSS FERTILISATION. FIG. 5 (NEXT PAGE).—SMOOTH 
EDGED PETAL FORM. 
Q, terminal portion of a flower stem of an unnamed variety raised from seed : 
7, stem, branched lower down, and bearing several other flower buds ; 
s, flower stalks; ¢, expanded bloom, neither staminate nor pistillate 
organs being visible. Ifused as a pollen parent, the anthers must be ~ 
searched for amongst the petals; if selected asa seed bearing parent, the 
centre petals must be drawn aside and pollen applied to the stigmas of 
the styles: «, flower bud at the stage for earliest close emasculation. 
Pollen, magnified. 
R, flower Q¢ denuded of petals: v, basal bracts; w, calyx; 2x, stamens; y, 
stigmas of styles, to which pollen should be applied. 
S, flower bud emasculated at the stage Qu, arrived at pollinating state: z, 
point where the basal bracts, calyx, petal claws, and stamens have been 
cut and removed ; a, ovary or capsule; J, styles; c, stigmas, downy or 
feathered, and readily retaining pollen. The flower bud, after emascula- 
tion and up to and after pollination, should be enclosed in a paper or 
gauze bag until the stigmas fade. 
See also Chapter II. 
