THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 263 



sion of the flower ; or, if when this takes place, they are already 

 burst, it will be necessary to open the flower prematurely, for it 

 is essential to success that the anthers should be cut out before their 

 pollen is ripe. In some of the Campanulas the anthers burst 

 previously to the opening of the flower, and also in some of the 

 Cytisus family, and probably in many others. 



2. When the anthers have been thus extracted, the stigma of 

 the flower must be carefully preserved from accid-ntal impregnation 

 by insects or other means, until it is in a fit state for the reception 

 of the pollen of the species wilb which we desire to hybridize it. 

 This end is best attained by tying a piece of fine muslin over the 

 branch on which the blossom is situated. 



It is usually easy to perceive the proper moment for the appli- 

 cation of the pollen, for the stigma, in most instances, exudes a 

 viscid fluid ; and in those plants in which it is divided into lobes at 

 its extremity, as in the fuchsia, geranium, clarkia, and many 

 others, these lobes, which on the first expansion of the flower are 

 commonly indistinguishable, diverge and spread themselves towards 

 the anthers. In some plants, especially in such as have fugacious 

 blossoms, the stigma is fit for the reception of the pollen as soon as 

 the flower has opened ; in others, not until a few hours after expan- 

 sion ; and in the lilies, neither the pollen nor stigmas are fit for the 

 operation of hybridizing until after an interval of one or two days 

 from the opening of the flower. 



3. The operations should be performed only in dry weather ; for 

 when moistened, the pollen-grains are ruptured and lose their 

 fecundating power. This explains the injurious influence of heavy 

 rains upon many crops when in flower, as well as upon fruit- 

 trees. In many plants the flowers close in wet weather, appa- 

 rently with the intention of preserving the pollen and stigma from 

 injury. 



4. The actual operation of hybridizing consists simply in remov- 

 ing the anther, or, if necessary, the entire flower from the plant 

 with which we desire to cross another species, and in applying the 

 anther in a dry, mealy condition to the stigma, by bringing them 

 into contact. Some hybridizers collect the pollen with a small 

 camel' s-hair pencil ; but, whenever it is possible, we advise the 

 anthers themselves to be applied, without any intermediary. As 

 the pollen of most plants is coloured, its presence upon the stigmatic 

 surface will be easily detected. The quantity of pollen necessary 

 for the fertilization of the ovules of any plant varies exceedingly in 

 different species ; it is better, however, to use too large than too 

 small a quantity. As a general rule, it may be advisable to apply 

 to the stigma of one species the whole of the anthers of the male 

 flower. "When practicable, the anthers should not only be rubbed 

 upon the stigma, but also be inserted in the centre of the flower, 

 where the arms of the stigma will often suffice to retain them. 

 The pollen of some plants may be preserved for a considerable 

 period, especially if kept dry, but in practice it is advisable to apply 

 it as soon as ripe ; though where two species, which it is desired to 

 cross, are not simultaneously in bloom, the experiment may be tried 



September. 



