RAISING NEW VARIETIES. 187 



it is likely to have fallen on the pistils and a 

 perfect cross could not then be assured. If, on 

 the other hand, it be not nearly matured, the pis- 

 tils are not in proper condition to be fertilized. 

 In such a variety as General Jacqueminot, the 

 stamens should be removed three or four hours 

 before the flower would expand. The petals are 

 then to be gently pulled off, and the stamens cut 

 away. The pollen is then applied to the pistils 

 by carrying to them the flower of the fertilizing 

 sort and gently rubbing them with the stamens 

 holding the pollen, so that the pistils are well 

 covered. If preferred, a fine camel's-hair brush 

 may be used for the purpose of applying the 

 pollen. The pollen must be quite ripe ; if it 

 does not attach itself readily to the brush it is 

 not yet in fit condition for use. Those varieties 

 which are not very double will give more pollen 

 and be better seed-bearers than the very full ones. 

 Kinds like Bon Silene, Safrano, Fisher Holmes, 

 Jean Cherpin, etc., will be found the most suit- 

 able for first experiments. If the operation is 

 carried on out of doors, it is desirable to cover 

 the flowers fertilized with tine gauze, to prevent 

 the interference of insects. The insects are not 



