318 The Principles of Fruit-growing 



have little exact knowledge as to the effect of rain- 

 storms and other weather conditions on the setting of 

 fruit. See the discussion of this subject in Chapter II 

 (page 41). Hedrick thinks it "is probable that the chill 

 of rainy weather decreases the vitality of the pollen, and 

 an excess of moisture often causes pollen-grains to swell 

 and burst." 



Many of the injuries detailed in this chapter are 

 beyond the reach or rescue of the fruit-grower, but, even 

 so, he will want to understand them. 



