48 AGRICULTURE FOR BEGINNERS 



bear pollen may become pollinated, that is may have pollen 

 carried to them. After the stigma has been supplied with 

 pollen, a single pollen grain sends a threadlike sprout down 

 through the stigma into the ovary. This process if success- 

 fully completed is called fertilization. 



EXERCISE 



Examine several flowers and identify the parts named in the last 

 chapter. Try in proper season to find the pollen in the maple, willow, 

 alder, and pine, wheat, cotton, and morning-glory. 



How fast does the ovary of the apple blossom enlarge ? Measure 

 one and watch it closely from day to day. Can you find any plants 

 that have their stamens and ovaries on separate individuals ? 



SECTION XV POLLINATION 



Nature uses several interesting ways to secure pollen 

 transportation. In the corn, willow, and pine, the pollen is 

 picked up by the wind and carried away. Much of it is lost, 

 but some reaches the stigmas or receptive parts of other corn, 

 willow, or pine flowers. This is a very wasteful method, 

 and all plants using it must provide much pollen. 



Many plants employ a much better method. They have 

 learned how to make insects bear their pollen. In plants of 

 this type, the parts of the blossom are so shaped and so 

 placed as to deposit pollen from the stamen on the insect 

 and to receive pollen from the insect upon the stigmas. 



When you see the clumsy bumblebee clambering over 

 and pushing his way into a clover blossom, you may be 

 sure that he is getting well dusted with pollen and that 

 the next blossom he visits will secure a full share on its 

 stigma. 



