POLLINATION. ENEMIES. 237 



surround it. If an anther is separated and closely ex- 

 amined, it will be seen that there are two small openings 

 at the tip ; it is through these that the pollen normally 

 escapes. But this escape does not take place freely un- 

 til the flower has matured to such an extent that the 

 tips of the anthers stand erect and recede from the 

 stigma, leaving the latter standing unsupported. The 

 pollen can be most rapidly gathered upon the spatula 

 by inserting the point of the metal into the side of the 

 anther and opening it by an upward movement of the 

 instrument. In this manner a large quantity of pollen 

 may be gathered very rapidly, and it is the work of but 

 an instant to press it upon the end of the stigma. One 

 such treatment, if performed when the surface of the 

 stigma is adhesive, is sufficient for each blossom. 



Eggplants are subject to the attacks of all the com- 

 mon greenhouse pests, but if care is exercised from the 

 beginning, no serious damage need be feared. Green- 

 fly is easily overcome by tobacco smoke, or the fumes of 

 tobacco extract, while mealy-bug can be overcome by 

 well-directed streams of water. The foliage of eggplants 

 is not easily injured by such applications of water, and 

 the insects may be dislodged with impunity as often as 

 they appear. The worst pests of eggplant foliage are 

 the red spider and his near relative, the mite. The lat- 

 ter is especially difficult to treat, as it is not so much 

 affected by moisture as the red spider is, and for this 

 reason it cannot be so readily overcome. The rough 

 foliage of the eggplant is especially well adapted to the 

 lodgment of these mites, and when they have once be- 

 come established, their extermination is practically im- 

 possible. Too much care, therefore, cannot be taken in 

 watching for the first appearance of these scourges, and 

 in destroying them as soon as discovered. It is well to 

 apply water freely to the foliage, even before the insects 

 appear, for the leaves do not immediately show their 

 presence, and such applications will do no harm. The 



