174 HORTICULTURE FOR SCHOOLS 



emasculated flowers to the extent that they do others, it is 

 advisable to tie a bag over the ends of twigs, covering the 

 emasculated blossoms. The bags, in addition to keeping 

 insects out, also serve as some protection to the pistils from 



drying winds. Each twig 

 is labeled with the number 

 of blossoms emasculated, 

 the date, and such other 

 information as may be 

 desired. Fairly durable 

 tags should be used. 



270. Applying the pol- 



. no.-The perianth removed. len. After the flowers are 



bagged, some of them are 



examined from time to time, and when the stigmas 

 are bright, shiny, and sticky, they are ready to receive 

 the pollen. The pollen, which has already been placed 

 in labeled glass vials corked with cotton, is usually applied to 

 the stigma with a small camel's hair brush. When the brush 

 is dipped in the pollen, it will hold enough for pollinating a 

 large number of stigmas, and all that is necessary is to touch 

 each stigma with it. Examination of a stigma so treated will 

 show a large number of pollen-grains on its glistening surface. 

 It will be noticed that a small quantity of pollen goes a long 

 way in pollination. If the pollen in the vial should become 

 scanty, a few shakes will jar more out of the anthers. 



271. Labeling. The stigmas may be counted as the 

 pollen is applied and the number, together with other infor- 

 mation, written on a tag attached to the twig. The record of 

 each tag may be kept in a notebook or on cards. After the 

 pollen is applied, the bags are replaced, and later, after the 

 fruit is set, they are removed, and such observations as are nec- 

 essaryiare made and recorded. The tags may be left as long as 

 desired, and observations and records made from time to time. 



272. Checks. It is necessary in all work of this nature to 



