CROSSING AND HYBRIDIZING, 71 



oharge a powdery substance called pollen, which, com- 

 ing in contact with the stigma, fertilizes the young fruit 

 at its base. 



When it is desired to make a cross between two varie- 

 ties, select blossoms not fully open on the tree intended 



Fig 68. 



for the female parent, and cut off all the anthers, as rep- 

 resented in fig. 69. This must be done before the flower 

 is^fully expanded, otherwise the process of crossing may 

 be performed by other agencies — insects or the wind. 

 Bees, no doubt, carry the pollen from one flower to an- 

 other and efifect crosses regardless of consequences. In 

 order to get ahead of these busy little meddlers, and avoid 

 the natural fertilization which will result if the flowers 

 are left to themselves, with sharp scissors carefully cut 

 the anthers from the flower intended for the female pa- 

 rent before it is entirely open, and protect it by a cover- 

 ing of thin gauze until the pollen of the male parent is 

 well matured. Then collect the ripened dry powder with 

 a soft brush and apply it to the moist stigma of the cov- 

 ered flower. It is sometimes applied with the finger, or 

 by touching the stigma with the anthers containing the 

 dry pollen. After this process is complete, keep the 

 flower covered until all danger of accidental fertilization 

 has passed. It is well to repeat the operation several 



