28 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



dust-like substance called pollen, easily visible to the eye. 

 This pollen is the male fertilising agent, and fertilisation is 

 the result of the conveyance of this pollen, via the stigma, 

 to the as yet unfertilised ovum. 



Next we have to consider the female reproductive 

 organs of the flower, called the gynoecium, each member of 

 which is known as a carpel, the apex thereof being the 

 stigma. The gynoecium as a whole is called \hspistiL 



The foregoing may seem a little complex, but out of 

 this complexity arise the two main items for practical 

 consideration the male stamen with its anther lobes and 

 resultant pollen ; and the female pistil. Our object then 

 is to convey, at the proper moment, and by appropriate 

 methods, the pollen from the anther lobes to the recipient 

 pistil in condition to accept it. And then, by far the most 

 difficult part of the whole process, the subsequent ripening 

 of the seed so initially vitalised. 



To begin with, it is important that the plants to be 

 used should be in a strong and healthy condition. Plants 

 subjected to the forcing cultivation resorted to for exhibi- 

 tion purposes are too enfeebled to furnish that reserve of 

 vital force necessary for the reproductive process ; the 

 blooms having been unduly forced for the production of 

 what is called the "full flower," a mass of sexless petals 

 is the result. A plant lifted from the open ground in 

 August and then potted, and brought under glass in late 

 September, often produces the best results. 



We have now to consider the time and method most 

 suitable for the process of pollination. 



Nature, ever aiming, by its processes, to avoid the 

 retrogression of race consequent on too close interbreed- 

 ing, takes especial care in the case of the Chrysanthemum 



