34 CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 



may be hastened by the protection of glass, or the pollen 

 of the earlier kind may be preserved in a closely corked 

 phial until the later kind is ready for impregnation. It 

 is said that pollen may be kept for a month, and sent 

 thousands of miles, without injuring its vitality. There 

 may also be a choice which of the kinds to constitute the 

 female parent, resulting from the imperfect organization 

 of some kinds ; e.g., the foreign Damascus and the native 

 Taylor, which have deformed stamens, and an insuffi- 

 cient supply of pollen. A careful observer will readily be 

 guided in his practice. I cannot think it is material to the 

 character of the seedling which variety is the mother. 

 In the analogous case of animal life, we find equally 

 marked paternal and maternal traits in the offspring. The 

 choice being made, before inflorescence, with a long and 

 slender pair of scissors remove the larger part of the 

 flower-buds from the bunch that is to be impregnated, in 

 order that there may be ample room to operate upon the 

 remaining flowers. This rule will vary with different 

 varieties, the operator being easily guided by his judg- 

 ment. Watch the period of inflorescence with utmost 

 care ; and when the corolla is seen to lift, and part from 

 the calyx, then with the scissors carefully remove the cap. 

 Generally the cap will fall before you can get to it; but, in 



