136 THE POTATO. 



qualities of flavour and shape, but is lacking in vigour, 

 and that the other is a free cropper, but more vigorous, 

 and that it is desired to combine the two qualities or pro- 

 perties in one. The proper course to pursue, then, will 

 be to cross the weaker with the stronger variety and await 

 the result. In some cases it may be well to make a re- 

 ciprocal cross, i.e., one with the other. 



Act of Cross-fertilisation -Each flower contains 

 a stigma or female organ in the centre, and clustering 

 round its base are the five anthers or male organs, which 

 contain the pollen. (See p. 138.) Directly the flow ; er 



MAINCROP ROU>.D POTATO LIM GRAY. 



begins to open the anthers (6) must be removed care- 

 fully with a pair of fine-pointed scissors, as shown on 

 p. 139. This is necessary to prevent its own pollen 

 from falling on the stigma (7) and self-fertilising the 

 ovary (5). It is well also to tie a piece of soft 

 muslin round the emasculated flower. You have now 

 to examine the flowers of the other variety which is 

 to act as the male or husband. You may have to examine 

 dozens of flowers before you w r ill find one with its anthers 

 bearing the precious pollen in a powdery form, as some 

 varieties are exceedingly shy pollen-bearers, owing to the 

 energies of the plant being occupied in producing tubers at 

 the expense of full development of its masculine attributes. 

 When you do find the pollen dust, collect it carefully on 



