CHAPTER XII 

 POLLINATION AND FERTILIZATION 



POLLINATION and fertilization are essential to the formation 

 of seed, and the development of seed is necessary, in most 

 cases, to the production of good fruit. A few kinds of seed- 

 less fruits have proved satisfactory, of which the seedless 

 grape and certain varieties of the orange are very valuable 

 examples. The banana is also seedless, as is the pineapple. 

 But with most fruits the seed and pulp must develop simul- 

 taneously. It is only in comparatively recent times that the 

 commercial importance of the subject of pollination and 

 fertilization has been realized and that a careful study has 

 been made of its relation to fruit production. 



Anther 



Fia. 99. Cherry blossom. 



256. The flower and its parts. To understand the nature 

 of pollination and fertilization, one must first be familiar 

 with the structure of the flower. In Fig. 99 is shown a cherry 

 blossom with the various parts labeled. On the outside is a 



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