Breeding 75 



had spent the entire time on the plant. I am 

 inclined to think that seeds not fully developed 

 at the time do not develop further. 



Seed pods may be tied in light paper bags in a 

 dry place until a convenient time should come 

 to clean them. Be sure to label them carefully 

 with the names of both parents if they are hand- 

 pollinized, giving the name of the seed bearer 

 first. For instance, if the Dahlia "Ballet Girl" 

 is pollinated by "Mystery" the pod should be 

 marked "Ballet Girl X Mystery" or if vice 

 versa, ' ' Mystery X Ballet Girl . " If it is a chance 

 seed pod (i. e., a bee crossing) only the name of 

 the seed bearer can be written. 



Break the pod open on a flat white surface 

 the lid of a box is an excellent place as the edge 

 keeps the seeds from being lost. You will no- 

 tice that the seeds lie in the inner side of flakes, 

 which are set in circles, just as the florets had 

 grown. The seeds are attached to these flakes 

 and in their wild state sail off with them on the 

 wind, alighting some distance away where they 

 may take root next year. The outer circle of 

 seeds are the largest, though here and there in- 

 side the pod a giant or two may be found. They 

 should be about one half inch long, a dark gray 

 in colour, a little curved, crisp, and clean edged, 

 and having a slight plumpness. There will be 



