SEEDLINGS AND SPORTS 



55- 



pollen is easier to gather. The styles in flowers thus treated seem to be 

 in better condition, or at least more normal and produce seed more freely. 

 We have arrived at these deductions by endeavoring to procure seed from 

 those grown for exhibitions and in nearly every case our efforts have been 

 fruitless. 



Plants intended for seed raising should be staged in a dry, light house* 

 and excessive moisture at the roots or in atmosphere should be avoided. 



Fertilizing The operation begins when the flowers are half open by 

 cutting the petals off close to the base 

 with a pair of scissors, until the styles 

 are exposed. See Fig 27. 



Fig. 28 represents an enlarged ray 

 and disc floret. No. 1 is a petal which 

 furnishes the color. This is provided 

 with a style or pistil and when in 

 condition or fully expanded is in proper 

 condition to receive the pollen which 

 is applied to the upper surface, (B) 

 known as the stigma. The disc floret 

 (II.) also has a style, but is provided 

 with stamens, (C) which furnish the 

 pollen. These should be removed from 

 th-e seed plant with the points of scis- 

 sors to prevent self-fertilization. 



After the flower head has been trim- 

 med select the desired flower for pol- 

 len. Push aside the ray florets or 

 petals until the disc florets are in 

 view. Collect the dust-like pollen on 

 a camel's hair pencil or toothpick and 

 apply to the stigmas of the flowers 

 previously prepared. This completes 

 the operation. 



How fertilization takes place is fully 

 described by Prof. Bentley in his Man- 

 ual of Botany : 



''When the pollen falls upon the stig FIG. 27. 

 ma its intine protrudes through one 

 or more pores of the extine in the form of a delicate tube which pene- 

 trates through the cells of the stigma, by the viscid secretions from which 

 it is nourished. These pollen tubes continue to elongate by growth and 

 pass down the conducting tissue of the canal of the style, and thus reach' 

 the ovary where the seed is formed." 



If a toothpick is used never use it for more than one kind of pollen. 

 By .allowing the camel's hair pencil to stand in an open month vial of al- 

 cohol a few minutes after using, it may when dry be used upon another 

 variety without fear of the former operation affecting {he present. 



% FLOWER TRIMMED READY 

 FOR FERTILIZATION. 



