yo ON 'tkE CtJLTur^E • 



item of the leaf were to be left, it would foon putrify, 

 and raife unhealthy vapours among the phmts. 



It is the female bloffoms or flowers that bear the 

 fruit ; but if they were not to be impregnated by 

 the male flowers, they would prove barren and un- 

 fruitful. 



The female bloflfoms are eafily to be diflinguiflied 

 from the male ones, for the rudiment of the fruit is 

 apparent at the bottom of the female flowers, and 

 the flowers have no fl:amina, but have three fmall 

 pointed filaments without fummits : Whereas the 

 male bloflbms have not any rudiment of fruit about 

 them, but in the centre of the flower are three fliort 

 ftamina, which are inferted in the impalement. 



When the female or fruit bloflbms are in full blowj 

 I take a male bioflTom which is in full blow, and 

 holding it in one hand, with the other I fplit and 

 tear ofFthe flower leaves ofpetals, taking care not to 

 hurt the fl:amina or male part. I then hold the male 

 bioflTom thus prepared between the flinger and thumb 

 of my right hand, and with my left hand I gently 

 lay hold of the female bloflom, and holding it between 

 two fingers, I put the prepared male blofjbm into 

 the centre of the female bloffom, and there the 

 farina, polen, or duft of the anthera, clings or flicks 

 to the fligma, and thus the impregnation of the fruit 

 is effeduated, and the plants are thereby rendered 

 fruitful, which, being in frames in a climate by art 

 made for them, would otherwife in a great degree 

 be rendered barren and unprodudive j and which I 



have 



