BREEDING 



421 



After the anthers dehisce and the pollen becomes ripe a small 

 vial, properly labeled, is used to collect the pollen. By removing 

 the hoods the pollen can be easily dusted into the vials by the aid 

 of small camel's-hair brushes. If sufficiently dried, the pollen will 

 keep in these vials until ready for use ; if it is not dried enough, 

 fermentation is likely to set in. Very gratifying results have been 

 obtained by collecting in this manner. 



It is not known just how long pollen can be kept before it loses 

 its viability. Good results have been had from pollen that was 

 gathered three weeks before. 



If pollen is taken from 

 blossoms when on the tree, 

 accuracy is safeguarded by 

 taking it from a flower 

 which has been protected 

 by a paper bag. 



How to apply pollen. It 

 has been found that the 

 quickest and most effective 

 way of applying the pollen 

 to the pistils is by the use 

 of a small, pointed camel's- 

 hair brush having a handle 

 from 6 to 8 inches in length. 

 While more or less pollen 

 is wasted in making the application, the disadvantages are greatly 

 offset by the advantages. Brush pollination is the most practicable 

 method, when many thousands of blossoms must be pollinated. 

 The simplest way to apply pollen is to touch the stigma with a 

 dehisced anther ; another way is to clip the thumb or forefinger in 

 the pollen and carry it to the stigma of the pistil. 



When using a camel's-hair brush, too much care cannot be 

 exercised in making the application. Enough pollen should be 

 placed on the stigma so that it can be readily seen. In all cases 

 each kind of pollen for each variety pollinated must have its own 

 brush if scientific results are to be obtained. Fingers and tools 

 used in pollination must be sterilized ; this can probably be best 

 accomplished by the use of alcohol before each operation. 



The most interesting step 



Applying pollen to the pistils. (Oregon Agricul- 

 tural Experiment Station) 



