202 



Kansas State Board of Agriculture. 



tinguish three stages in the development of the alfalfa flower, and which 

 we may speak of, respectively, as the straight bud, the curved bud and 

 the hooded bud stages. When the corolla is first seen in the bud all the 

 petals seem to be drawn together into a straight, pointed tip. (Fig. 178.) 

 Soon the standard begins to detach itself from the rest of the petals and 

 its elevation forms a sort of beak or upwardly curved tip. (Fig. ISO/ 1 

 Finally the standard begins to open and we have the hooded stag< 

 (Fig. 181.) 



Investigation of the condition of the stamens in these various stages, 

 in the plant-breeding laboratory of the College this summer, show that 

 the pollen is shed by the anthers upon the stigma of the pistil very 



FIG. 178. Young alfalfa bud. The calyx is nearly as long as the corolla within. 

 Of the latter only the standard petal can be seen. It is folded around all the 

 others. 



FIG. 179. Alfalfa bud. The corolla has grown out beyond the calyx, and the 

 standard petal is getting ready to rise. 



FIG. 180. Alfalfa bud. The standard petal is now seen to be distinctly curving 

 upward in its growth. The lower edges of the wing petals, which together fold 

 down over the keel, now become visible. 



