122 



AMERICAN VINES. 



Fig. 60. Flower with 

 long stamens. 



and the anthers open outwards, offering a great and 

 direct action to the wind, which carries away the pollen 

 dust. 



In cultivated or wild vines hermaphrodite flowers are 

 divided into classes those with long stamens (longer 

 than the pistil) (Fig. 60), of the florescence and fecundation 

 of which we have just given an idea, 

 and others, less numerous, with short 

 stamens. In the latter the stamens, 

 shorter than the pistil, have their 

 anthers in contact with the corona of 

 the stigma. When florescence takes 

 place the filament of these short- 

 stamened flowers curves outwards, 

 bringing the anthers in contact with the base of the pistil 

 (Fig. 61). According to E. Rathay the pollen of short- 

 stamened flowers differs mor- 

 phologically from that of 

 flowers having long stamens, 

 and has no power of germina- 

 tion. Rathay concludes that 

 they cannot be utilized for 

 hybridization. Millardet rea- 

 sons on results obtained with 

 the pollen of male flowers, 

 and does not consider this 

 fact is constant. 



According to Rathay the short-stamened flowers of 

 cultivated vines are fecundated by the pollen of other 

 vines with long-stamened flowers. If this were not so, non- 

 setting would take place. This was demonstrated very 

 practically by the experiments of A. Jurie.* Short-stamened 

 flowers are the rule in wild species with hermaphrodite 

 flowers. We will deduct conclusions' later on from these 

 observations. 



(c) Technique of Hybridisation. When we desire to cross 

 two cepages, the flowering period of florescence of which is 

 simultaneous, the operation is easy. But this case is the 

 exception, especially in the hybridization between European 

 and American vines. Certain American vines, such as V. 



Fig. 61. Flowers with short stamens. 



Reime de Viticulture, 1895. 



