30 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



stigmas of the bloom of the Chrysanthemum with the aid 

 of a powerful glass would be beyond the range of practical 

 (hybridising) politics. 



The pollen, then, has to be conveyed on the point of 

 a small, fairly stiff, and scrupulously clean, camel-hair 

 brush, which should be thrust directly down on to the 

 stigmas ; not only once, but on two or more successive 

 days, so as to ensure that the stigma may have been at 

 one day at least in a properly receptive condition. About 

 midday on a dry and sunny day is the best time for the 

 operation, but sometimes such days are not forthcom- 

 ing in late November and December when just needed, 

 so a substitute has often to be provided by the creation, 

 in the house, of a dry and moving atmosphere, provided 

 by a correct adjustment of ventilation to the artificial heat 

 from the hot-water pipes. Next comes the most difficult 

 point of the process the ripening of the seed. 



Two points have to be especially noted. In the first 

 place the bloom heads must be kept absolutely free from 

 green-fly, mildew, and damping. Persistent fumigation, 

 or applications of tobacco and sulphur powders, must be 

 resorted to, and it is well at an early stage to cut off, well 

 down to the stamens, the longer portions of the petals, 

 which harbour aphis and mildew. 



Next in order to secure a dry and moving atmosphere 

 for the ripening of the seed, it is well to tilt the pot con- 

 taining the plant, so that the fertilised bloom heads may 

 be brought directly over the hot-water pipes. In about a 

 month, or a little more, the bloom heads may be cut off 

 with a few inches of the stem, and be placed in a metal 

 pan over the hot-water pipes, removed from direct contact 

 therewith by a piece of broken flower-pot. The pipes 



