112 THE SEED-GROWER. 



In such case where the plant selected has the stamens 

 and pistils in the same flower, the stamens (the male 

 organs) must be cut off with a small scissors before 

 their pollen has ripened so as to prevent self-fertiliza- 

 tion. The flower is then to be kept covered with a 

 small bag until the pistil is ripe and ready to receive 

 the pollen from the other flower selected. This is to 

 protect it from the conveyance of foreign pollen by 

 insects or the wind. 



As in selection, crossing is best secured by having a 

 large field in which to work. For instance, Burbank 

 in experimenting with peaches found only about one 

 desirable variety in each one thousand seedlings tested, 

 while in raspberries and blackberries he found only 

 about one in twenty thousand that he considered 

 worthy of acceptance. 



Hybrids, in the first generation, usually resemble 

 each other. But they greatly vary in the second gen- 

 eration, and it is in this that there may be found the 

 types that are being bred for. 



When a desirable type is discovered, it must be fixed. 

 This is done by continued careful selection. In other 

 words, breeding is repeated for several more generations 

 with its own pollen or pollen ot the same cross, until it 

 indicates unvaried reproduction, that is, it shows that 

 it will reproduce itself true. It will then be ready for 

 introduction. 



Certain improvements may only be secured by cross- 

 ing, such as the blending of color and producing a 

 fragrant flower from an odorless one. 



In the crossing of plants possessing contrary qualities, 

 such as hardy and tender, greater vigor is the result. 



Plant Breeding Among the Ancients "Is there 

 anything whereof it may be said see this is new ? It 



