PROPAGATION 



to avoid other pollination than that desired. For 

 this purpose oiled paper bags may be placed over 

 the flowers and secured with wire or string. The 

 anthers on the flower which is to be pollinated 

 should be removed as soon as possible, in order 

 to prevent self-fertilisation. Every care should 

 be exercised in removing the anthers to avoid 

 cutting or bruising the carpels. Some of the 

 petals may be removed to facilitate the work. The 

 stigmas should be watched to observe when they 

 are ready to receive the pollen. When the stigmas 

 present a waxy granulated surface they are ready. 

 The pollen should then be taken from the anthers 

 of the pollen parent flower and applied to the 

 receptive stigmas. This may be done in a number 

 of ways. The ripe anther may be crushed upon 

 the thumb nail of the operator or upon a watch 

 crystal or other small receptacle. By means of 

 a tiny scalpel, camel's-hair brush or the operator's 

 finger tips the pollen may then be placed upon 

 the stigmas, which should be covered generously. 

 Opinions differ as to whether the paper bag should 

 or should not be replaced after the operation is 

 finished. In case the bag is replaced, it should 

 be left only until the stigmas have withered. A 

 tag bearing the names of the parent varieties 



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