38 BUSH-FRUITS 



fecundation is no longer possible. If properly fertilized 

 by the pollen applied, the stigma very soon withers, 

 but if not, it may remain in a receptive condition for 

 several days. 



In crossing brambles or groselles, select a cluster 

 which has several buds nearly ready to open, if such a 

 one is to be found. Cut off all younger buds, all 

 which have already begun to open, all flowers and all 

 fruit which has already set, leaving only the few un- 

 opened buds which are of about the same age. The 

 next step is to remove all stamens from these buds. 

 As the number of stamens is large, to remove each one 

 separately would be a tedious task. Fortunately, how- 

 ever, in the rose and saxifrage families, to which these 

 fruits belong, the stamens are borne on the calyx. 

 This enables us to get rid of them all by simply cut- 

 ting away the calyx. This can be con- 

 veniently done either with fine, sharp- 

 pointed scissors, or with a spatula made 

 from a pin stuck in the end of a stick, 

 then flattened and sharpened at the 

 edges. Turn the bud (Fig. 7) bottom 

 side up, and cut a circle around the 

 stem not far from it. The whole calyx 

 Fig. 7. Raspberry will thcu comc away, taking the stamens 

 Tlrutr with it (Fig. 8). After all the buds 

 have been thus treated, care being taken 

 that no anthers are left, the cluster is covered with a 

 paper sack. Half or quarter -pound grocers' sacks 

 answer the purpose well. If the open end of the 

 bag is moistened, the paper can be pressed more closely 



