LUTHER BURBANK 



at least worth making. Could a cross be effected, 

 we might reasonably expect some very interesting 

 modifications in the hybrid product; notably, per- 

 haps, an accentuated capacity for growth that 

 would possibly give us dahlias rivalling the largest 

 crysanthemum in size, as they already rival it in 

 form and flexibility of petal-like florets. 

 CROSS-POLLENIZING THE DAHLIA 



Among themselves, the dahlias cross very 

 readily, it being, indeed, difficult to keep them 

 from crossing when they are grown near together. 



Yet, as in the case of all composite flowers, the 

 hand-pollenizing of the dahlias presents certain 

 difficulties. The method of hand-pollenizing, with 

 special reference to the washing off of the pollen 

 from the pistillate flower before applying the for- 

 eign pollen, has been detailed in its application to 

 composite flowers in general in the chapter on pol- 

 lenization. It may be added that it is sometimes 

 possible to blow the pollen away, if water for 

 washing it off is not available. The use of a 

 strong magnifier to inspect the receptacle and 

 make sure that all pollen has been removed will 

 give added certainty to your experiment. 



After the pollen has been thoroughly removed 

 by washing, apply the head of the flower that is to 

 be used as the pollen parent, rubbing it gently 

 against the pistillate head while it is still wet. 



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