56 



SMITH'S CHRYSANTHEMUM MANUAL, 



Pollenizing should be done on bright, sunny days as far as possible. 

 In wet weather a dry, warm house can be utilized and the. work continued 

 <each day, provided sufficient pollen is at hand. On bright days pollen is 



(A) Style (B) Stigma (C) Stamens (D) Ovary (E) Seed 



FIG. 28. I. PISTILLATE FLORET. II. STAMINATE FLORET. 



generally very abundant, and may be collected, stored in vials and labeled 

 ready for use. If kept perfectly dry this pollen will retain its vitality 

 throughout the chrysanthemum season. 



After fertilization give the plants only sufficient water to keep them 

 from wilting. Always keep a record of the work, showing the parents of 

 the seedlings. It will afford pleasure to know how a meritorious variety 

 was produced, and may suggest possibilities along other lines. 



Seeds ripen in five or six weeks. Those fertilized early in the season 

 give the greatest number of seeds, doubtless due to more favorable weather 

 at t^iat time. Do not anticipate super-abundance of seed. The crosses 

 which give but few seeds generally produce the best seedlings. Hand pol- 

 lenized seeds are of more value than those naturally fertilized. It at least 

 seems rational to expect more from seed secured by the union of our best 

 kinds than from that produced by the wind without intent, or the bee 

 whose only object is to secure his daily sustenance. If this be true, our 

 results depend upon the degree of intelligence employed in the selection of 

 parents, and thoroughness with which every detail is attended. 



Seedlings The seeds should be sown in light soil as soon as they are 

 ripe, using pots, pans or shallow boxes. They should be covered lightly 

 .pnd kept in a temperature of about 60 degrees, until they have germinated. 

 Tf kept in too high a temperature the seedlings are quite apt to damp off, 

 and at the first indication of such a condition move to a more airy place. 

 As soon as they have made their second pair of characteristic leaves, prick 

 off into shallow boxes, planting about an inch apart. When showing signs 

 -of crowding they should be potted separately and repotted as often as 

 necessary or planted into the bench, same as standard varieties. 



