92 AGRICULTURE ON THE PACIFIC SLOPE 



work, just as the bud scales are leaf -like parts fitted 

 to protect the buds from drying up. 



We have all seen the yellow dust of flowers. It is 

 called pollen. 



Of what use is the pollen? If we take away the pollen 

 from the flower, it cannot make seed. Find a plant 

 with large flowers which are making good seed. The 

 large unopened flower buds (lily, passion flower, etc.) 

 may be cut open and the anthers (or pollen cases, 

 figure 48, which contain the pollen) taken out without 



injuring the outer parts 

 of the flower. Now cover 

 with a paper bag, tied 

 tightly around the stalk 

 (figure 49) to keep out 

 pollen from other flowers 



FIG. 48. Cherry blossom cut open to W hich may be brought 

 show the parts of the flower. 



by insects or by the 

 wind. Does the flower inside the bag set seed? 



It is not enough to have the pollen in the flower: 

 it must be placed where it can get to the young seeds. 

 These are in the seed case (or ovary) which is in the 

 center of the flower (figure 48). At the top of the seed 

 case is a sticky or hairy part, the stigma (sometimes on 

 the end of a stalk called the style, figure 48), which holds 

 fast any pollen which is placed on it. From here the pollen 

 grows down to the young seeds (ovules"). As soon as it 

 reaches them, they begin to grow, and make perfect seed. 



