THE NURSERY-BOOK. 



another pollination is removed. If the fruit is likely to be 

 destroyed by birds or insects, it should be covered with netting 



bags as soon 

 as the paper^ 

 bags are 

 Fig. 103. Pin-scalpel. removed. 



These bags also serve to mark the crossed fruits, and to catch 

 them if they should drop before the operator is aware. Of 

 course all crosses should be labelled with the names of both 

 parents and the date of the operation. 



For ordinary operations, no especial outfit is necessary for the 

 crossing of plants, but those who experiment largely will find 

 that the work will be greatly facilitated by the use of a portable 

 box in which the various requisites dan be carried. If this box 

 has a compartment for every article, the operator will see at a 

 glance if anything is lacking before he goes to the field. Figs. 

 105 and 1 06 illustrate a convenient pollinating kit. This is made 

 about 12 inches long, 9 inches wide and 3 inches deep. In 

 the central portion is a compartment for bags and one for 

 labels. At the right end, running crosswise, is a narrow com- 

 partment for string, and at its upper end is a small bottle of 

 alcohol. Into this alcohol the scalpel and other 

 tools are dipped whenever another kind of pol- 

 len is to be used, in order to destroy what- 

 ever pollen grains may adhere to them. In 

 front is a compartment for a magnifying glass, 

 and a long one to hold scalpel, brushes, crochet- 

 hook and pencil. The note-book is held in the 

 cover by a wire clasp. 



It is rare that all the flowers which one polli- 

 nates will mature fruit. If one-half are suc- 

 cessful on the average, the operator may be 

 satisfied. External conditions have much to 

 do with the success of the operation. Some 

 species do not set well during very dry weather 

 and some are impatient of confinement. But probably all 

 plants which thrive under glass are more sure to give good 



Fig 104. Treated 

 squash flower. 



