QUESTIONS 149 



the seedlings are grafted into mature trees and brought to fruit 

 in a short time. 



Selection. Of course, it will be readily seen that in breed- 

 ing plants that will not hybridize or that do not produce seeds, 

 we must depend entirely on selection. In fact, selection was 

 the most important factor in plant improvement until recent 

 years and is now a method that can be used with great advan- 

 tage. Most farmers, fruit growers and gardeners can select their 

 best plants for seed purposes with great advantage to themselves. 



EXERCISES IN POLLINATION 



1. Removal of Stamens. Select several flowers of tomato or other 

 plants just ready to open. Remove the stamen and cover with paper bags. 

 Examine in a week or ten days. 



2. Artificial Pollinating. Select another lot of flowers, remove the 

 stamens, touch the pistil with open stamens from another flower of the 

 same kind. Examine in a week or ten days. 



3; Pollination in Greenhouses. Visit some local greenhouse in 

 which the tomatoes, cucumbers and other vegetables are grown and see 

 how pollination is managed. 



QUESTIONS 



1. How are common plants pollinated? 



2. What insects are important in pollinating plants? 



3. Make a list of crops pollinated by insects. 



4. Make a list of crops pollinated by wind. 



