ORIGINATING NEW VARIETIES. 



151 



one of the edges tie a string about ten inches long and 

 draw one end through the hole in the other edge, as shown 

 in Fig. 36. 



Every precaution must be taken to prevent the access 

 of foreign pollen to the stigma of the flower to be operated 

 upon. It is best to select the flowers near the tips of 

 branches as it is much easier to cover them with the bags. 

 Remove all open flowers and those which are immature. 

 No flower should be worked upon after it is open. Choose 

 them in the stage shown in fig. 37, B. just before they are 



Fig. 37. A, Open citrus flower, showing petals, stamens and pistil. 

 B, Bud at the right stage for emasculating. C, An emascu- 

 lated flower. 



ready to open. If possible, select the blossoms so as to be 

 able to place a number under the same sack. 



In performing the work, gently hold the unopened 

 flower-bud in the fingers. With a pair of tweezers care- 

 fully pry the petals apart so as to expose the anthers and 

 stigma. If the flower is in the right stage, it will be found 

 that the stigma is on a level with the anthers or slightly 

 above them and that its surface is viscid or sticky, as 

 already noted. Then remove the anthers by catching the 

 filaments some distance below them and nipping them off, 

 or a pair of surgeons' scissors (Plate XII) may be used. 

 This operation of removing the anthers is termed cmasvu- 



