IMPROVEMENT OF PLANTS. 263 



plant but in separate flowers as, the corn and 

 cucumber ; while in still others they are pro- 

 duced on separate plants as, the ash and box 

 elder. 



In case both stamens and pistils are borne on 

 the same flower, the anthers must be removed 



a b c 



Kid. 85. ORANGE BUI) AND 1H.OSSOMS. 

 a Orange bud. b Mature orange blossom. r An emasculated flower. 



before the pollen is shed, to prevent self-fertili- 

 zation. To be sure of this, they should be re- 

 moved before the bud is fully opened (Fig. 85, 

 a), and in certain cases as, wheat, etc. in 

 even an earlier stage, since pollination takes 

 place before the bud opens. 



Directions for cross-pollination: (a) The bud should be 

 carefully opened to expose the anthers (Fig. 85, b}, which 

 should be picked off (Fig. 85, c] with a pair of tweezers, or 

 cut off with a pair of tiny scissors. The best results will 

 be obtained by selecting two or three of the strongest 

 flowers of the cluster for emasculation, and removing 

 all others. 



(b} The flower cluster thus treated should be at once 

 enclosed in a paper bag, the open end of which should 

 have been slightly moistened by quickly dipping it in 



