i'HE CARNATION MANUAL. 5 



curled, and their surfcice slightly I'ongh with a very 

 delicate down. 



Until these pistils are what gardeners would 

 call " well up " they are not ready for the pollen. 



This pollen is found in the anthers, which 

 are tiny oval-shaped cups, sHghtly attached to very 

 delicate filaments, the stamens, and must be looked 

 for among the petals of the bloom. 



The pollen is found on, or perhaps we should 

 say in, these anthers, in the form of a fine dust, 

 which can readily be removed from them on the 

 point of a camel's-hair brush. 



Sometimes, and with some varieties, this pollen 

 is difficult to obtain — the anthers are there, but 

 wholly destitute of pollen. Occasionally, also, 

 especially in dark, damp weather, it is found in a 

 clammy, lumpy state, in which condition it is of no 

 use to the operator. 



The auspicious moment is near mid-day in fine, 

 bright weather, when the pollen should be found in 

 the proper condition, viz., that of an exceedingly 

 fine, light dust. 



The process of fertilisation is very simple. 

 The operator, with the point of a camel's-hair 

 brush, removes a small portion of the pollen, and 

 touches with it the points and upper ends of the 

 pistils of the bloom he wishes to fertilise. 



An incredibly small quantity is needed ; it is 

 essentially quality not qiumtity that is requhed. 



