RAISING NEW VARIETIES. 195 
some and we do not have wind and rain to 
contend with. Whenever possible, choose a 
clear day, and operate in the morning, so 
that the flowers can be exposed to the influ- 
ence of the sun immediately after they have 
been fertilized. The flower selected for a 
female parent should have the stamens care- 
fully removed by means of a fine pair of em- 
broidery scissors, a few hours before the 
pollen is ripe. Should the pollen be quite 
Tipe, some of it is likely to have fallen on the 
pistils and a perfect cross could not then be 
assured. If, on the other hand, it be not 
nearly matured, the pistils.are not in proper 
condition to be fertilized. In such a variety 
as General Jacqueminot, the stamens should 
be removed three or four hours before the 
flower wouldexpand. The petals are then to 
be gently pulled off, and the stamens cut 
away. The pollen is then applied to the 
pistils by carrying to them the flower of the 
fertilizing sort and gently rubbing them with 
the stamens holding the pollen, so that the 
pistils are well covered. If preferred, a fine 
camel’s-hair brush may be used for the pur- 
pose of applying the pollen. The pollen 
must be quite ripe; if it does not attach it- 
self readily to the brush it is not yet in fit 
condition for use. Those varieties which 
