STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 99 



as the parent or seed plant. This one we are very particular to 

 watch and almost before the flower bud opens we take the tweezers 

 and pull off the anthers ; we want the3e before the pollen is ripe so 

 as to prevent the plant pollenating itself; then just as soon as the 

 pistil shows itself to be at all guram3' we are ready with the brush, 

 pick up the pollen from the anthers of the other plant and place it 

 on the pistil of the seed plant. We usually keep this up at intervals 

 for several da3S ; then the plant is set by itself and we wait. As 

 soon as the seed ripens we plant it. Plants from this seed will be 

 vigorous and under favorable conditions will bloom in from four to 

 six months. The new plants will give many variations in color, 

 perhaps none so good as either of the plants selected, perhaps 

 nearly all will be good ones. If none are distinct enough to name, 

 many will be good enough to place with the general collection and 

 even here we have gained fresh stock. The process with the 

 chr3'santhemum is ver}' much the same, only we never attempt to 

 remove pollen parts from the seed flower, and do make use of the 

 paper sheet, more, because it is easier to collect the pollen on this, 

 and shake it into the flower, than to use the brush, on account of the 

 large amount of petals in the way. 



The seedlings are watched, yes, even coddled, to keep them 

 growing finely and everyone is qui vive on the appearance of a bud, 

 hardl}' waiting for nature to develop the flower in the anxiet}' and 

 curiosity to know the color and form. 



People would be more rational in their operations with plants if 

 the}' knew onh' a little more about them. I have been disgusted 

 during the plant season having so man}' ask questions similar to 

 these. Shall I water this every day ? How often ought I to water 

 this? A good answer I think is, supply water to the plant as you 

 take it yourself. We drink when we are dry only (i. e. if we are 

 temperate) and do not wait until we are nearl}' famished before we 

 slake our thirst. So generally water a plant when it i3 dr}- not 

 waiting until there is a drought like Sat ara and then imposing a 

 flood. 



Many plants are killed by intended kindness in this way. Then, 

 day after day rooms aie heated hot and no air admitted to freshen 

 it. Plants, of course, are placed in a sunny window ; so on the 

 sun's return in the spring, many times we can almost hear the poor 

 things panting for breath and see their very tongues cling to their 

 mouths, they are so dr}-. Again the receptacles used for pots are 



