98 THE CHRYSANTHEMUM 



shed upon the glass. This is perhaps the most prac- 

 tical and simple method of procedure so far as pollen 

 gathering is concerned. Pollen gathered and placed in 

 glass vials or receptacles can be used at such times as 

 the stigma of the flower to be operated upon is in 

 proper condition. Pollen of the Chrysanthemum will 

 retain its vital function for several weeks, if kept in 

 an equable temperature, in fact the pollen of the early 

 flowered varieties will retain its vitality for crossing 

 purposes during the entire season. This ability to pre- 

 serve the pollen has its advantages in that it enables 

 the operator to use the pollen from the very early 

 flowering varieties upon the midseason and later sorts, 

 thus allowing an opportunity for enlarging and embel- 

 lishing the simpler forms of the early kinds. Seedlings 

 from such crossing generally perfect their flowers at 

 an earlier date than those belonging to the seed parent. 



The preparation of the flower to be pollenized is 

 generally a cutting back of the petals to within an inch 

 of their base, some even closer this is done so that 

 the operator may place the little granules of pollen dust 

 directly upon the stigma in the petal tube. Some 

 remove the entire center of the flower when the direct 

 method obtains; this is considered by others unneces- 

 sary, regarding it as too radical treatment, tending to 

 destroy the functional powers of the bloom. To have 

 absolutely accurate results - it is best to remove the 

 pollen-bearing stamens, in order to prevent any self- 

 fertilization. 



Another method is to gather the pollen and shake 

 it over the pistils of the flower which is to act the part 

 of seed bearer. This requires a larger quantity of 

 pollen to be effective, but if the pollen is to be had in 

 quantity, it is usually a satisfactory way. The essential 

 thing in successful crossing is to be careful to perform 



