- A v \ B R E E D I N G 



tics, because of non-production of fertile pollen. Again, 

 he must grow a great number of varieties in order to deter- 

 mine which have viable pollen. The climatic and soil con- 

 ditions greatly influence the production of fertile pollen. 

 There are some varieties of potatoes whose buds drop off 

 before opening, and some that have a few flowers open but 

 fall too soon. There are also some whose flowers live for 

 several days but frequently the pollen is not fertile. Again, 

 many times when the blooms do appear and the pollen is 

 fertile, in some cases the seed balls or fruits are seedless, 

 and if they do have seed it does not always germinate. In- 

 stantly a question arises in our minds, "Is there a means by 

 which we could produce this coveted fertile pollen ?" There 

 are, however, a few varieties which generally produce via- 

 ble pollen. The disease resistance of a tuber plays an im- 

 portant part in this matter. 



After these difficulties have been overcome, the ac- 

 tual crossing of the plants is an easy matter. The plants 

 to be selected for crossing should be strong and healthy, 

 with good characteristics. The mother plant should be es- 

 pecially strong, having a desirable feature that is lacking 

 in the male plant, and the male plant possessing some char- 

 acteristics which would make a good cross. 



There are two ways of pollination. First, nature's 

 way, self-pollination. Second, hand pollination, of which 

 there are several methods. 



One method of hand pollination is as follows : First, 

 the female plant is deprived of its anthers. The anthers 

 stand erect in the center of the flower, like a cone. These 

 flowers are then covered with paper bags with some foliage 

 to insure moisture, for proper development. After this, 

 in about two days, the male plants are gathered, the pistil 

 removed and the pollen jarred onto the emasculated plant. 



