400 INFLUENCE OF BEES. 



the other, because the corolla belongs to the male 

 portion, and is, directly or indirectly, connected 

 with the stamens. 



Great care should be taken to protect the plant 

 from which the pollen is to be taken from bees or 

 other insects, which rob it of this powder. To do 

 so, a light netting may be throAvn over the twig, 

 else they would soon put to an end any certainty 

 of pedigree, by bearing pollen grains upon their 

 bodies from other plants, which is easily brushed 

 upon the stigma as the insect seeks the pollen. 

 Another result to be guarded against is the fertil- 

 ization of the blossom by its own pollen. This 

 can be done by removing all the anthers, or sacs 

 which contain it, and the petals, — for in the latter 

 case the pollen seems to lose its attraction to the 

 insect race. During dry weather, and when the 

 stigma is in the proper condition, the fertilization 

 may be performed. This state may be detected in 

 some plants by a viscous exudation from the surface ; 

 in others it is not discernible. The pollen should 

 be dry and powdery, which it will not be in cold, 

 damp, or chilly weather. The distribution of the 

 pollen thinly over the stigma may be performed 

 either by a camel's-hair brush, or by dusting it 

 directly from the anther, the stamen being held in 

 a pair of nippers. The female has the advantage, 

 it is generally conceded, in the process ; and we 

 should therefore use that one for the seed-bearer 



